®]
Univi :>rnu
^
LITTLE PLAYS FROM
AMERICAN HISTORY
FOR YOUNG FOLKS
BY
ALICE JOHNSTONE WALKER
NEW YORK
HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY
Copyright, 1914,
BY
HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY
Published August, 19 14
Amateurs may produce the plays in this volume
without charge. Professional actors should apply for
acting rights to the author, in care of the publishers.
Printed, March, 1937
€ ■ < '
■ . ' . « * *
» •• 4
• • •
PRINTED IN THE U. S A. BY
THE QUINN a BOOEN COMPANY
SAHWAY, N. J.
Dedicated
To my pupils for whom these little
plays were written
■
IN
0>
J
CONTENTS
PAOI
I. Hiding the Regicides .... i
A Play in Seven Scenes. Time about
1661.
II. Mrs. Murray's Dinner Party . . 57
A School Play in Three Acts. Time
1776.
III. Four Scenes from the Time of Lin-
coln
1. In Boston. 1864
2. Lincoln and the Little Girl. 1850
3. At the White House. 1863 .
4. On a Plantation. 1863 .
121
123
131
134
145
HIDING THE REGICIDES
An Historical Play
For Children
In Seven Scenes
NOTE
The Regicides were the judges who signed the death
warrant of Charles I at the time of the great Revolu-
tion in England in 1649. During the Commonwealth
period they were safe, as the Puritans were in power,
but in 1660, Charles I's son, Charles II, was called
to the throne and he refused to pardon the men who
had condemned his father to death. At this time the
Regicides, Whalley and Goffe, fled to New England,
hoping for the protection of the Puritans there. They
lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts Colony, and New
Haven and Milford in New Haven Colony, and their
last days were probably spent in Mr. Russell's house in
Hadley, Massachusetts.
The seven scenes in this play take place in New
Haven Colony in the years from 1661 to 1664. Presi-
dent Ezra Stiles' narrative has been followed in all
the essential parts. Tradition as well as facts have
been introduced, but it has not always been possible to
preserve the historical sequence.
The great stones of glacial origin that form Judges'
Cave are still to be seen on West Rock, New Haven.
The inscription, " Opposition to tyrants is obedience
to God," printed in rude letters on one of the rocks,
is probably of a later date than 1664.
3
CHARACTERS
Colonel Whalley | the Regicides. Goffe is Whal-
Colonel Goffe j ley's son - in - law ; much
younger.
Governor Leet, of New Haven Colony.
John Davenport, the New Haven Minister.
Mr. Gilbert, a New Haven Magistrate.
Mr. William Jones, neighbor of Davenport's.
T^ I King's officers searching for Regicides.
Kellond )
Will Leet, eight years old.
ist Neighbor.
2nd Neighbor.
Quinnibog, Indian runner.
Sperry's Boy, ten or eleven.
Mistress Allerton.
Mistress Davenport.
Abigail Pierson, seventeen, visiting Mrs. Davenport.
Elizabeth Allerton, Mrs. Allerton's granddaugh-
ter, seven or eight.
Mercy Leet, seven years old.
COSTUMES
The 1660 costume can be found in any illustrated
United States history. Wide collars and cuffs and a
broad sash worn over a little boy's coat with bloomers
and shoe buckles make the men's costumes easy to
arrange.
The women should have little caps and lace collars
and cuffs: skirts full and waists tight-fitting.
The King's officers, Kirk and Kellond, can be more
like Cavaliers: broad hats; sweeping feathers; swords.
Puritan hats for Whalley, Davenport, and the
neighbors in the Guilford scene are very effective and
can be made from cardboard and blacked over. Daven-
port and Whalley should have long capes.
The children should be dressed like their elders: the
little girls' dresses going to the floor.
Quinnibog is stained brown and has quills in his
topknot.
HIDING THE REGICIDES
SCENE I
CHARACTERS
Mistress Allerton.
Elizabeth, her granddaughter.
At the house of Mistress Allerton in New Haven
Colony. A Sunday in February, 1661. Late after-
Moon. Door at the left of the stage. Window at the
back to the left. In the right-hand corner the " Secret
Cabinet " made of brown paper tacked on a clothes-
horse or screen. One division of the clothes-horse is
arranged to open like a door. Dishes, blue plates,
pewter mugs, etc., painted or drawn with colored chalk
on paper covering screen, to make it look like dresser.
A table; knitting-work; high stool; armchair; foot-
stool.
Curtain rises on Mistress Allerton in armchair,
reading. Elizabeth, on stool, great Bible on her
knees, lips move as though learning by heart.
7
8 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Mistress Allerton
Elizabeth, hast thou finished committing the 23d
Psalm?
Elizabeth
Yes, Grandmother. It is not as long as the 103d.
Mistress Allerton
And what was the text of good Mr. Davenport this
Lord's day? Thou must tell thy old grandmother,
since she cannot now walk to the Meeting-House.
Elizabeth
It was in Isaiah xvi: 3, 4. I will read the very
words. [Reads] " Make thy shadow as the night in
the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray
not him that wandereth. Let mine outcasts dwell with
thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face
of the spoiler." Grandmother, what does "bewray"
mean?
Mistress Allerton
[Holding to chair, rises to her feet, staring ahead.]
" Hide the outcasts ! Betray not him that wander-
eth." [In a startled voice] They are coming!
Elizabeth
Why, Grandmother! what aileth thee? Who are
coming?
HIDING THE REGICIDES 9
Mistress Allerton
[Sits.] Nothing, child ! What else did John Dav-
enport say?
Elizabeth
Why — why Oh yes — that the Lord would
love those that helped the oppressed and to bewray
not him that wandereth. What is to bewray, Grand-
mother?
Mistress Allerton
To deliver the outcasts to men who would slay
them, my Elizabeth.
Elizabeth
[Gets down from stool, puts Bible on table, goes to
stand on Mistress Allerton's left.] Mr. Jones did
weep when Mr. Davenport was preaching.
Mistress Allerton
Aye, poor man ! well he may weep. It is not three
weeks since he learned that his father was betrayed to
the new King and cruelly killed.
Elizabeth
What had he done?
Mistress Allerton
He was one of the judges who condemned to death
that man of blood, Charles I ; many of those righteous
io LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
men have been pursued and slain — but not all, — not
all!
Elizabeth
And are some judges still hiding from the new
King?
Mistress Allerton
Yes, some they say are in Switzerland.
Elizabeth
They might come to New England — to New
Haven ! Should we have to hide them ?
Mistress Allerton
Yes, my Elizabeth, and betray them not. [Rises,
walks to dresser.] Elizabeth, seest thou that dresser?
Look, it opens thus. [Opens division of dresser.] If
any wanderer shouldst come, thou wouldst know where
to hide him!
Elizabeth
Oh, Grandmother! what a black little room! Does
it go far? I never knew it was there.
Mistress Allerton
This is a secret, child! Canst keep a secret? Aye,
I know well thou canst. Tell no one! Tell no one!
HIDING THE REGICIDES n
Elizabeth
[Dancing around.] No one! No one! Grand-
mother! A secret! A secret!
[Clock strikes six.
Mistress Allerton
Fetch me my knitting, child ; the Sabbath is over.
Elizabeth
[Fetches knitting, leans on back of Mistress Al-
lerton's chair.] And wilt thou sing with me now
the song thy mother taught thee in Old England?
Mistress Allerton and Elizabeth
[Sing]
" How I love to see thee, golden evening sun,
How I love to see thee when the day is done.
Sweetly thou recallest childhood's joyous days—
etc.
THE SETTING SUN
Andante.
t=t
:g:
«-r-#
#-*
1
1. How Hove to seo thee, Gold-en evening sun!
2. Sweetly thou re - call- est, Childhood's joyous days;
3. When in tranquil glo-ry, Thou didst sink to rest,
-»-«-
aczip:
E
t— Li — t-
i
12 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
5^1^
-N<-
5£SLJ=*
1 — U-
^H
3=5
How I love to see thee, When the day is done.
Hours when I so fond- lyWatch'd thy evening blaze.
Then what heav'nly rapt - ture Fill'd my burning breast.
m\'
=*
TT- *
■&-
-*-"
:t*t
azp:
q=s
\
CURTAIN
SCENE II
CHARACTERS
Mr. John Davenport. Mistress Davenport.
Mr. Gilbert, Magistrate. Abigail Pierson.
Mr. William Jones. Colonel Whalley.
Colonel Goffe.
John Davenport's house, New Haven Colony,
March 7, 1661. Night. Door as in Scene I. Win-
doiv at back of stage; chairs and table center stage;
lighted candles; dishes, tankards, etc., at right side.
Furniture, old-fashioned.
Curtain rises on Davenport standing behind table
reading letter: Gilbert right and Jones left, lis-
tening.
Davenport
[Reads.] " As the names of Whalley and Goffe
are omitted from the list of pardoned rebels, the
Magistrates of Massachusetts Colony were afraid to
harbor them longer. The enemies of the Colony have
been exciting suspicions of her loyalty. While Gov-
ernor Endicott and the Assistants were still debating
whether to arrest them, the Colonels left Boston the
13
H LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
26th of February, presumably on their way to Spring-
field and thence to Hartford and New Haven."
[Speaks] So reads the letter lately received from one
of our brethren in Boston.
Gilbert
And their way will lead them soon to New Haven.
They are not unknown to thee, Will Jones?
Jones
They were dear friends of my father's; would I
could spare them his fate!
Davenport
[Lays hand on Jones' shoulder.] Never fear! If
they come here, they will find friends and safety.
There are no traitors in New Haven Colony. We
fled before the tyrant: they stayed and defied him —
and should we not protect them with our lives if
need be?
Gilbert
[Rises.] With our lives, yes, but dare we put the
Colony in danger? This brave little settlement; dear
to us now as no other spot under heaven. Dare we
defy the King openly? Darest thou defy him, John
Davenport?
HIDING THE REGICIDES x5
Davenport
Who is defying the King? No Hue and Cry from
England makes it our duty to arrest them.
Gilbert
Yes, but the Massachusetts Magistrates expect
every day a Royal Order to arrest the fugitives, and
they dare not shelter them longer. And Massachu-
setts has a Charter and is older and richer and more
powerful than little New Haven.
Jones
Is not our very obscurity our safety? We have
no bitter jealous enemies in our midst like Massa-
chusetts.
Davenport
Well spoken, Will! and we will save the Colonels
and harm our beloved New Haven not a whit. Let
the King search! Can we not hide?
[Enter Mistress Davenport and Abi-
gail PlERSON.
Mistress Davenport
[Much excited.'] Husband, list! Two strangers
be at the door asking for thee; they will not give
their names and they will not enter.
[Davenport looks around at Gilbert
and Jones and goes out in silence.
All listen. Re-enter Davenport.
1 6 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Davenport
Mistress Davenport, Abigail, here are the Colonels
Whalley and Goffe.
[Enter Whalley and Goffe.
All
Welcome, sirs.
[Gather round — bow.
Jones
[Takes the Colonels' hands.] My dear father's
friends. Welcome ! Welcome !
Davenport
Mr. Gilbert is our Magistrate.
Mistress Davenport
Pray be seated, gentlemen.
Gilbert
Thou didst not tarry long in Hartford, Colonel
Whalley.
[Shakes hands with Whalley and Goffe.
Whalley
We were three or four days with Governor Win-
throp.
HIDING THE REGICIDES 17
GOFFE
And with your Governor Leet yestere'en. We tar-
ried until nightfall before approaching your settle-
ment. What noble mountains rise to the east and
west of your Plantation !
Davenport
Yes, we call them the East and West Mountains.
We love them well. Boston has not the like, nor
Hartford neither.
Gilbert
If the King should send a Hue and Cry for you
through the Provinces, you might find a sure shelter
on one of those lofty rocks.
Jones
[Hotly.] Nay, my father's friends and mine
should find security always in my house under the
roof built by Theophilus Eaton, my dear wife's
father.
Gilbert
[Rising.'] But if as Magistrate I should be
compelled to command a search of all houses —
then
i8 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
GOFFE
[Rising.] Understand, my friends, that my father
and I stand ready to give ourselves up at any time to
the Magistrates. We would not endanger the Colony,
for the sake of our poor lives.
Whalley
We would not have you risk the well-being of your
settlement for outcasts whose days at best are few and
evil.
Davenport
We thank you for these words, we will remember
them; they but make us more determined to save such
brave men.
Jones and Gilbert
That they do !
Davenport
And as for searchers — I fear them not. My Lord
Archbishop of Canterbury sought for one John Dav-
enport, but he found him not. Let us do our duty
and God will provide for our safety.
Gilbert
Yea, " hide the outcasts ; bewray not him that wan-
dereth!"
Mistress Davenport
And now I pray thee, John, suffer the Colonels to
HIDING THE REGICIDES 19
partake of a little refreshment; they must needs be
faint.
[Colonels Whalley and Goffe sit
down at table. Mistress Daven-
port and Abigail begin to bring
dishes, glasses, etc. Davenport and
Jones take their hats, etc.
curtain
SCENE 117
CHARACTERS
Governor Leet.
Will Leet.
Mercy Leet.
I King's Officers.
Kellond J
ist Neighbor.
2nd Neighbor.
Quinnibog, Indian Runner.
Governor Leet's house, Guilford, Saturday, May
1 1, 1661. Door and ivindow as before; zvindow open;
table; chairs; high stool; books; papers; ink and quill
pen on table.
Curtain rises. Mercy Leet discovered seated on
high stool knitting long stocking and weeping, wipes
eyes with stocking. Will's head appears in window.
Will
Mercy, what art doing? Leave thy knitting and
come to the woods and pull May-flowers with me.
20
HIDING THE REGICIDES 21
[Climbs in window, sits on sill, feet inside.] I know
where they grow by handfuls.
Mercy
[Bends over her work, but does not answer.]
Will
[Laughing.] Oh! naughty girl! must sit on the
stool and knit! Oh! Oh! I know why. Thou didst
laugh at prayers when the tabby cat jumped in the
window !
Mercy
It is not often I have a chance to sit here, Master
Will! It is thy favorite seat! Why wast thou here
all yesterday forenoon?
Will
[Gets down from window.] I was trying to mend
father's pens for him. He was not pleased.
[Takes quill pen from table.
Mercy
Have a care! thou wilt drop it!
Kirk
[Outside window.] Is the Deputy Governor Leet
within ? We would speak with him at once.
22 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Will
[Drops pen, runs to window.] Two strangers!
they would see father.
[Enter Leet, ist and 2ND Neighbor;
Kirk and Kellond, the King's Of-
ficers.
Kellond
Our business is important and urgent.
Leet
I pray you be seated, sirs.
Kirk
These letters will explain all.
[Hands papers to Leet, who takes out
glasses, wipes them, begins to read
out loud.
Leet
" To our trusty and well-beloved, the present Gov-
ernor or other Magistrate or Magistrates of our
Plantation of New England." [Speaks"] This is not
written to me! I am the Governor of New Haven
Plantation, not of New England.
Kirk
It is for thee. I pray thee read further.
HIDING THE REGICIDES 23
Kellond
And would his Honor please not read so loud.
[ist and 2ND Neighbor take books, pre-
tend not to listen.
Leet
[Bows and reads lower but distinctly. KlRK and
Kellond fidget and look to see whether the others are
listening.] "Charles Rex: Trusty and well-beloved,
we greet you well. We being given to understand
that Colonell Whalley and Colonell Goffe, who stand
here convicted for the execrable murther of our Royal
Father of glorious memory, are lately arrived in New
England, where they hope to shroud themselves se-
curely from our laws; and we do expressly require
and command you forthwith, to cause both the said
persons to be apprehended
Kellond
[Interrupting.] It is convenient to be more private
in such concernments as this is! Will his Honor
please retire with us to another room?
Leet
Ah, — as you wish.
[Exeunt Kirk, Kellond, and Leet, who
looks back over his shoulder.
24 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
1ST NEIGHBOR
[Throwing down book he has been reading.] Will,
hasten and fetch hither Quinnibog, the Indian runner.
Here hasten. Nay, by the window. Bring him to
this window.
[Puts Will hurriedly out of window,
goes to table and writes.
2ND NEIGHBOR
[Rises and looks over his shoulder — reads.~\
" King's Officers from Boston seeking the Colonels
have arrived this day, Saturday, at Guilford."
Will
Here is Quin.
[His head appears and he climbs in. The
neighbors help him down.
[Quinnibog's head appears over win-
dow-sill.
1ST neighbor
[Folding paper.] To Chief Davenport at New
Haven.
[Holds up paper; gives it to Quinnibog.
2ND NEIGHBOR
Between the Red Mountains.
HIDING THE REGICIDES 25
1ST NEIGHBOR
Let not the wind catch thee !
2ND NEIGHBOR
[Holds up knife.] This shall be thine if thou goest
swiftly and secretly.
Quinnibog
[Raises right arm in air, speaks with great dignity
and slowly; impassive face.] Quosaquash, sawsounck
Totoket, mishe nahma, Mishe mokwa mudjekeewis
Quinnipiack!
[Disappears.
2ND NEIGHBOR
What did he say?
Will
That he will run as swiftly as the shadow of a
cloud passes between Totoket and Quinnipiack.
Mercy
Oh no! he cannot do that! I cannot run as fast
as that!
1ST NEIGHBOR
[Looking at Mercy.] Oh! the little maid! Will
she tell ?
[Takes up book and sits as before.
26 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
2ND NEIGHBOR
Nay, nor Master Will neither.
[All are as before. Enter Leet, KlRK,
and Kellond.
Kirk
[To Leet.] And thou wilt see that we have fresh
horses at once and the necessary papers for our urgent
business.
Kellond
Yes, Sir, at once. The papers at once!
Leet
The horses surely you shall have, but the papers
are a weightier matter. I must have time for con-
sideration.
Kirk
But we cannot wait. This is the King's business.
Leet
[Slowly.] When the horses are ready return hither
and I will give you my decision. In every way I
would expedite and advance his Majesty's service.
Kirk
Thanks to your Worship.
[Bows, goes out.
HIDING THE REGICIDES 27
Kellond
Your Honor.
[Bows, goes out.
Leet
[Goes to table, looks at quill all ink, puts it doivn.~\
Mercy, child, thou hast been on the penance stool long
enough.
[Takes her and stands her on stool.
Mercy
I thank thee, Father. I have been a good girl. I
did not tell the King's Officers that Will had fetched
Quinnibog and sent him to New Haven to Mr. Dav-
enport.
CURTAIN
SCENE IV
CHARACTERS
Governor Leet.
Will Leet.
Mercy Leet.
„ I King's Officers.
Kellond j
Governor Leet's house, Guilford, May n, 1661.
Late afternoon. Same as Scene III.
Curtain rises on Governor Leet seated. Kirk and
Kellond seated on either side, talking angrily.
Kirk
We will not be delayed longer. We are assured by
the people at the Inn, who seem better informed than
his Honor, the Governor, that Davenport and Jones
are sheltering the Regicides.
Kellond
That the Colonels have been seen on the street out-
side their houses and that Mr. Davenport but lately
laid in a store of ten pounds of fresh meat at once.
28
HIDING THE REGICIDES 29
Kirk
Also men say openly that it is not possible that the
Governor should be ignorant of the whereabout of the
Colonels.
Leet
[Mildly.] I repeat-
[Leet is very deliberate through this
scene, as he is trying to make time.
Kellond
[Sarcastically, interrupting.] And that also, of
course, entirely unbeknownst to the Governor, an In-
dian runner has disappeared from the town, since our
arrival.
Leet
[Slowly, politely.] You gentlemen, I see, have been
listening to the village idlers, who have always plenty
of tales for eager ears. I can but repeat that it is nine
weeks since I saw those you seek, and I do not know
where they are. I also repeat that as a faithful servant
of his Majesty I am willing to help you in every way
in my power.
Kirk
[Roughly.] Then give us horses; promised us these
two hours — search warrants and military aid to appre-
hend these malignants.
3o LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Leet
[Slowly.] Horses you shall have, sirs, I but sent
to my highland meadow to procure you my swiftest
nags. They should be here now.
Kellond
[Threateningly.] And warrants and soldiers, too!
Leet
[Politely.] I fear I have no authority to furnish
search warrants.
Kirk
[Rising.] No authority! Why, here is his Maj-
esty's proclamation.
[Shows it to Leet.
Leet
[Takes letter •, slowly puts on specs, takes them off,
ivipes them, puts on again, reads paper.] Um! Ah!
but this is not addressed to me, but to the present
Governor or other Magistrates of our Plantation of
New England. There is no New England Plantation.
How can I assume rights to which I am not entitled?
Kellond
[Rising.] This is an idle quibble. His Majesty's
command is to catch those rascals. This is New Eng-
HIDING THE REGICIDES 31
land. Thou art a Magistrate. Give us a warrant
or disobey the King!
Leet
[Rises, says solemnly.] This is New Haven Colony,
not New England. I am but the Deputy Governor
and cannot overstep my powers. I obey the King by
obeying the King's law.
Kirk
[Sneeringly.] Thou hast much talk of obedience
but little action. — [Pounds on table] What wilt thou
do?
Leet
[Mildly.] Mr. Gilbert is one of the New Haven
Magistrates, too; I will give thee a letter to him, say-
ing that I urge every compliance possible with the
demands of his Majesty.
Kirk
[Mollified.] That will please us well, sir.
[Sits,
Kellond
Very well.
[Sits.
32 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Leet
[Slowly goes to table, looks for paper.] Nay, not
this. [Rises, goes to door, calls.] Mercy, Mercy!
[Enter Mercy.
Leet
Mercy, run and ask thy mother for another sheet
like this.
[Exit Mercy.
Kellond
[At window.] Are those the horses, your Honor?
Leet
They are indeed.
[Looks out of window.
Kellond
Since the horses are at hand we wait oi.ly the letter.
[Enter Mercy with paper.
Leet
[Searches on table, in room, goes to window, calls.]
Will, hast thou meddled with thy father's quills?
Will
[From outside.] Nay, Father, I did but-
HIDING THE REGICIDES 33
Leet
[Sternly.] Answer me not, fetch them at once.
Kirk
But lo! here is a quill!
Leet
I cannot use it.
[Enter Will.
Leet
Thou keepest thy father waiting! Where hast thou
put the quills, meddler!
Will
Nay, Father, I touched them not, thou thyself didst
put them in the drawer.
[Opens drawer full of quills.
Leet
[In surprise.] Ah! to be sure.
[Begins trying one after another.
Kellond
[To Kirk.] This is but slow haste.
Leet
[Cheerfully.] Haste makes waste. Now I can
begin. My spectacles. Where are my spectacles?
[Begins search.
34 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Kirk
[To Kellond, aside.'] This is too much!
[They begin to search, Mercy and Will
also.
Leet
[His spectacles are pushed back on his forehead.]
Mercy, run and ask thy mother if she hath seen my
spectacles. [Mercy goes out.] Perchance they are
shut up in some book.
[All look in books.
Mercy
[Enters.] No, Father, they [begins to laugh].
Why, there they are on thy forehead, Father.
Leet
Of a surety! [Sits down, dips pen in ink; when
clock strikes six. Leet lays down pen and rises.]
Good sirs, it is six of the clock and this letter cannot
be finished until Monday.
Kirk
[Springing up.] But we will not wait until Mon-
day. What means this foolery!
Leet
[Gravely.] It is now the Sabbath. We can engage
HIDING THE REGICIDES 3s
in no worldly pursuits. No man travels within this
Colony on the Sabbath!
Kirk
They will escape us. Thou knowest it well!
Kellond
[Furiously.] A plague upon all Puritan notions, —
twenty- four hours' delay! Good lack!
Leet
Nay, nay, good sirs, softly! softly! on Monday I
will myself accompany you to New Haven, and aid
you in your errand.
Kirk
Your Worship's aid is indeed indispensable. We
must needs submit, but the King shall know how the
Governor of New Haven obeys his Majesty's orders.
[Exeunt Kirk and Kellond, angrily.
CURTAIN
SCENE V
CHARACTERS
John Davenport. Colonel Whalley.
Mistress Davenport. Colonel Goffe.
Abigail Pierson.
Monday night, May 13, 1 66 1, at John Daven-
port's. Stage same as Scene II. Stage dark.
Curtain rises on Abigail on stage with lighted
candle, listening.
[Enter Mistress Davenport with candle lighted.}
Mistress Davenport
[Whispers.] Didst thou hear a rap, sweetheart?
Abigail
[Whispers.] Nay, but I thought I heard a branch
snap suddenly.
[Listens.
Mistress Davenport
They may return any time, but we dare not shelter
them to-night; a search of this house may be ordered.
36
HIDING THE REGICIDES 37
Abigail
They were last seen on Neck Lane by the Marshal
who sought to arrest them. But they beat him off.
Dost thou think, Mistress Davenport, the town mar-
shal tried very hard to capture them ?
Mistress Davenport
Hush, my dear, of course he did, and when he
returned with more men the Colonels were not to be
seen.
Abigail
No; and how angry the King's Officers were that
the Colonels were so near and yet not apprehended.
Mistress Davenport
[Listens.] Didst thou not hear that?
[Both listen. Mistress Davenport,
with finger at lip, tiptoes out. Abigail
still listens. Low knock is heard at
window. Abigail puts out light and
goes to window. Another knock. She
opens window. Whalley is helped
in; Goffe follows in silence, and
Abigail quickly shuts window, draws
curtain.
[Enter Mistress Davenport with
lighted candle.
38 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Mistress Davenport
The Lord be praised that thou art still safe after
this dreadful day! Abigail, hast thou refreshments at
hand?
[Abigail sets forth refreshments. Goffe
and Whalley sit down at table, eat.
Whalley
We were indeed beset, behind and before, but the
Lord once more delivered us.
[Enter Davenport.
Davenport
[Takes hands of Judges.] My heart is glad within
me. But tell how you escaped the town marshal and
why the King's Officers did not meet you? You were
both on the same road.
Goffe
The good marshal was soon discouraged; it was no-
desperate fight.
[Laughs.
Whalley
Our staves were stout.
Abigail
There, I knew good Marshal Kimberly woulif
never
HIDING THE REGICIDES 39
Davenport
[Smiling.] Nay now, my dear! such talk will never
do. But Kirk and Kellond, the King's Officers, were
perilously near thee; they must have been almost in
sight !
Goffe
[Stands.] That was indeed a close rub. As we
were about to cross Neck Bridge we heard galloping
hoofs on the East Road. There was no shelter, no
tree, no escape visible; the rapidity of the gallop made
us sure the riders were our pursuers.
Whalley
[Stands.] Suddenly we bethought us of the possible
shelter of the bridge itself, and scrambling down the
steep bank we waded under the bridge until the water
was up to our armpits
Mistress Davenport
Oh, good lack!
Goffe
And hardly were we in our cold retreat before the
King's Officers rode by at a furious pace, rattling the
boards over our heads and scattering dust upon us!
Whalley
[Sits.] I pray we never be any nearer to them!
40 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Mistress Davenport
And you have both been wet to the bone all day!
Goffe
[Sits.] No, sweet Mistress Davenport, the sun
soon dried us. But how fared the day here?
Davenport
The day has been an anxious one. Kirk and Kellond
suspect us and they are pressing the Magistrates for
a search warrant. The Magistrates from Branford
and Milford are here and they are still consulting.
Mistress Davenport
They may yield and give the Commissioners search
warrants this very evening.
Davenport
Leet and Gilbert hold that as there is no Governor
of New England, they dare not obey the proclamation.
The Officers speak most insolently to the Magistrates
and accuse them openly of knowing where you are.
Mistress Davenport
We fear that Kirk and Kellond will demand per-
mission of us to search this house.
HIDLNG THE REGICIDES 41
Davenport
This I am willing to grant them — providing out
friends are no longer here. Abigail, therefore, will
escort you to the house of Mistress Allerton.
Abigail
And to-morrow night Will Jones will take you to
a retreat where no King's Officer can find you.
Whalley
Ah, good Mr. Davenport, there is grave danger in
all this for thee, I fear.
Davenport
Nay, nay, Colonel Whalley, say not so. Abigail,
thy hood, child, [Mistress Davenport ties on Abi-
gail's cape and hood] and go by the way of the
orchards.
[Opens window, helps Abigail out of
window; Goffe also. Wh ALLEY
gets out.
Whalley
[Looking backward.] The Lord bless thee, John
Davenport! [Disappears.
[Davenport shuts window softly.
CURTAIN
SCENE VI
CHARACTERS
Mistress Allerton.
I King's Officers.
Kellond j
Elizabeth Allerton.
Colonel Whalley.
Colonel Goffe.
Mistress Allerton's house, New Haven Colony,
Tuesday morning, May 14, 1661. Same as Scene I,
table being set for breakfast, plates, dishes, etc., on side
table. Vase of flowers on side table.
Curtain rises on Mistress Allerton and Eliza-
beth.
Mistress Allerton
[A pail in each hand.] Here, Elizabeth, be spry
now. Run swiftly to Goody Brown's and ask her for
two pails of milk this morning.
[Gives two pails.
Elizabeth
[Surprised.] Two pails of milk?
42
HIDING THE REGICIDES 43
Mistress Allerton
Aye, mayhap we have visitors to-day. Run along,
child !
[Exit Elizabeth.
Mistress Allerton
[Looking after her.~\ Would I had not said that!
Goody Brown will surely be curious. [Prepares table-
cloth, plates, etc., goes to Cabinet, taps and then opens
it.] Colonel Goffe, thou mayest safely venture out
now. There is no soul abroad and little Elizabeth
hath gone to the neighbors for fresh milk.
[Enter Goffe and Whalley from
Cabinet.
Goffe
Good morrow, Mistress Allerton!
Whalley
Good morrow! Good morrow!
Mistress Allerton
Good morrow, sirs, pray be seated. Here are some
of our sweet New England posies.
Whalley
This New England is a fair land, rich in bountiful
fields, sweet flowers, and true hearts.
[Bows to Mistress Allerton and sits.
[Goffe and Mistress Allerton sit.
44 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Mistress Allerton
There are no traitors here, indeed. These rude fel-
lows, Kirk and Kellond, come from old England.
[Enter Elizabeth, astonished to see
Colonels.
Elizabeth
Oh! Grandmother! and I told Goody Brown that
we had no visitors, but that thou saidest they might
come ; and here are the Colonels.
[Goes up to Judges and courtesies.
Mistress Allerton
[Anxiously.] Was there any one with thee wThen
thou spakest with Goody?
Elizabeth
One of the strangers from Boston was there and
he questioned me shrewdly.
Goffe
And what didst thou say, little maid?
Elizabeth
I said nay, we had no visitors.
Mistress Allerton
And then?
[Whalley and Goffe rise and listen
anxiously.
HIDING THE REGICIDES 45
Elizabeth
He said he did not believe me and he shook me
[begins to cry] and then he ran towards the tavern.
[The others look at each other in con-
sternation.
Whalley
Shall we enter the dark room again?
Mistress Allerton
Let me think.
Goffe
They will come and search and perhaps find us now
that they suspect this house.
Mistress Allerton
There is another way. Come quickly with me along
Neck Lane. Hasten!
Whalley
[Going out.] But what wilt thou say?
Mistress Allerton
I shall know what to say, only hasten!
[Whispers to Goffe, who nods and
smiles.
[All go out but Elizabeth.
[Re-enter Mistress Allerton.
46 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Elizabeth
[Weeping.] Oh, Grandmother! did I bewray the
Colonels?
Mistress Allerton
Nay, child, nay. Look quick! dost see the Colonels,
sweetheart ?
Elizabeth
[Looking out of window.] Yea, on Neck Lane.
Mistress Allerton
[Impressively.] If thou wouldst not bewray them,
shut thy eyes and stop thy ears until I tell thee to open
them.
Elizabeth
[Sits on high stool, right front, puts hands over ears,
shuts eyes, begins to sing.]
" How I love to see thee, golden evening sun,
How I love to see, etc."
Mistress Allerton
[Goes out and re-enters with Judges and softly
shuts them again in Cabinet. Goes and takes doxun
Elizabeth's hands.] Open thy eyes, child, and re-
member where thou last did see the Colonels.
[Loud knocks and enter at once KlRK
and Kellond.
HIDING THE REGICIDES 47
Kirk
Where are the malignants, Mistress? I have good
reason to believe that they are in this house.
[Sta?nps up and down, looking around.
Kellond
[Points to table.] Look, there they have been
breaking fast. It is too late to deny. We have
them at last.
Mistress Allerton
If by malignants you mean the Colonels, I own
they have been here. [Points to table.] I could not
deny them a morsel of food. But when the child
returned they at once left the house by that door and
hastened away.
Kellond
A likely story! Nay, they are somewhere in the
house.
Kirk
Why should they stay to be caught? Nay, they
have gone, I tell thee. Away!
Kellond
[Hesitates.] If they have, every moment is precious
—but
48 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Kirk
[Spying Elizabeth still on stool, marches up to
her, shaking her by arm.] And where are thy visitors
now ! Fy, little maid, to tell a lie !
Elizabeth
Let me go, sir. I did not know they were here. I
told no lie. But now they are gone and thou wilt
catch them!
[Sobs.
Kirk
She tells the truth ! Went they towards the market-
place?
Elizabeth
No!
[Covers her mouth with her hand.
Kirk
[Shaking her.] The Neck Lane? Speak, or the
King will clap thee in prison !
[Elizabeth is silent.
Kellond
The Neck Lane it was !
Exeunt Kirk and Kellond
[Crying.] Neck Lane! to horse! to horse! on! on!
[Noise of departure continues and comes
in through open window.
HIDING THE REGICIDES 49
Elizabeth
[Goes to window.] Will the King clap me in
prison? Will they find the Colonels? [Cries hard,
saying in her sobs] Oh deary me! Oh deary me! etc.
Mistress Allerton
[Still standing by stool, front right, looking tri-
umphant.] Nay, weep not so, child!
Elizabeth
[Continues.] Oh deary me! Oh deary me! etc.
Mistress Allerton
[Goes to her, puts hand on shoulder.] I am sure
they will not. Ask me no questions, but / am sure
they will not!
Elizabeth
[Stops crying, looks into Mistress Allerton's face,
looks at Cabinet, steps towards it, looks back at Mis-
tress Allerton, laughs, and throws arms around
Mistress Allerton's neck.] Oh, Grandmother!
curtain
SCENE VII
CHARACTERS
Colonel Whalley. William Jones.
Colonel Goffe. Deputy Gilbert.
John Davenport. Sperry's Boy.
Three years later. Judges' Cave on West Rock,
New Haven Colony, October 13, 1664.
Judges' Cave in right back corner of stage. Cloth
blackboards hung from ceiling over the corner, if hung
askew, make good rock background. Tables under-
neath covered with gray shawls over inverted chairs
continue idea of the real Judges' Cave. Green boughs
and twigs tucked around the edges of the boards and
where the tables fit into the walls and the gray shawl
or drapery touch the floor, green boughs on the floor,
on the walls, over the door, would add to the outdoor
effect. Goffe and Whalley must stand on the tables
and the green boughs on the tables must be high
enough to let them dodge down behind and hide when
the Sperry Boy comes. Stump for Sperry Boy to
place pail on. Goffe's carving on rock is done with
piece of chalk.
50
HIDING THE REGICIDES 51
Curtain rises on Whalley and Goffe standing on
rock in front of Judges' Cave looking off over the
valley below.
Whalley
And to-day we look on this scene for the last time.
Those gentle streams rolling through the goodly
meadows to the sea; the mighty forests, broken by the
clearings made by the stout arms of the settlers; the
blue hills, lying like some great giant to the north
and the smiling blue harbor and vast sea to the south.
Goffe
The New Haven folk dwell in a fair land. See,
[pointing'] is not that the spot where stands the Neck
Bridge under which we found cold comfort the day
the King's Officers galloped over our heads?
Whalley
[Looking.'] 'Tis near there, the trees hide it, but
I see plainly the field of Mr. Sperry which thou
crossed while making pretense of hoeing it under the
very eyes of Kirk.
Goffe
And did I not run when I at last reached the
woods! 'Tis but a small space but how vast it was
that day! [Laughs.]
[Sound of whistling or singing is heard.
Whalley and Goffe bend down be-
hind bushes.
52 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Whalley
[Whispers.] Who comes yonder?
Goffe
Sperry's boy!
[Enter Sperry's Boy, whistling, with
pail tied in cloth; leaves it by stump,
goes out whistling.
GOFFE
He has not grown much in stature in the two years
we have tarried at Milford. Doth he still seek the
woodman for whom his father bid him bring food
every day?
Whalley
This hiding place was a safe shelter for us until
the savage surprised us.
Goffe
I remember well the other visitor, no less unwel-
come, who with his furious cry roused us from our
slumbers and sent us hurrying down the mountain to
friend Sperry's.
[Laughs.
Whalley
Thou meanest the catamount who thrust his horrid
head with glaring yellow eyes into our cave! We
were indeed affrighted.
[Laughs.
HIDING THE REGICIDES 53
GOFFE
And to-night we flee from here, before the arrival
of the four new Royal Commissioners, to the distant
frontier of Massachusetts.
Whalley
We have found New Haven winters biting, but
those of Hadiey are more bitter.
Goffe
The savages, Mr. Russell writes, are bloodthirsty
and desperate. I would I could live a man's life again
and have a set-to with them. [Flourishes sivord.] A
sorry lot we have! always outcasts and homeless wan-
derers, hiding by day! fleeing by night! All we
fought for lost! England's liberties bleeding under
the son of the tyrant! Would I had died with Crom-
well, the cause of freedom is lost!
Whalley
Nay, my son, freedom is not lost! With our own
eyes we have seen its stormy day dawn over England.
The black clouds of tyranny but make men long more
fiercely for its dazzling light. Neither are all dead
who love it. Why, man! if thou and I are alive this
day 'tis because the men, women, and children of New
England hate tyrants and love liberty!
54 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
GOFFE
'Tis true, — thou givest me new heart. England's
hope still lives while she has sons like these New Eng-
enders to maintain in this wilderness her ancient lib-
erties and laws.
Whalley
Is there not something in the very air of this New
England that bids liberty live and tyranny perish?
[Voices are heard.] But who comes? [Both stoop,
look through branches.] It is John Davenport,
and
Goffe
Will Jones and Deputy Gilbert.
[Enter Davenport, Jones, Gilbert.
Davenport
Good day, Colonel Whalley.
Jones
I bid thee good day, sirs.
Gilbert
Good day, good day, sirs!
Goffe and Whalley
Good day to you, sirs, good day!
HIDING THE REGICIDES 55
Davenport
We have come to wish you farewell.
Jones
You are to be in Sperry's orchard at dusk, the
horses are chosen and the guide has come.
Gilbert
It is with sorrow that we see thee go, Colonel
Whalley.
Whalley
Hatchet Harbor, the Lodge, and this cave have
made us welcome shelters.
GOFFE
[Begins to carve letters on rock.]
Gilbert
Thou spentest several weeks at Hatchet Harbor. Is
it far from here?
Whalley
It is four or five miles distant. [Turns to Goffe.]
My son, I would fain clamber down to our friends;
lend me thy arm What art thou doing?
56 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
GOFFE
[Continues to carve.~\ I would leave a message
written in the rock itself for thy children's children to
read; Mr. Davenport.
[Gilbert and Jones help Whalley
down.
Davenport
[Reads] " O-p-p-o " What may it be, Colonel?
[All are watching Goffe.
Goffe
[Takes off hat to Davenport.] 'Tis graven on thy
own heart, John Davenport. " Opposition to tyrants
is obedience to God."
[All remove their hats and lift them
above their heads and exclaim :
All
" Opposition to tyrants is obedience to God." Yea.
Yea.
CURTAIN
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY
A School Play
In Three Acts
HISTORICAL NOTE
The summer of 1776 was one of great anxiety for
Washington. He was expected by Congress to hold
New York at any cost against the British. But Put-
nam's disaster on Brooklyn Heights necessitated the
retreat from Long Island and made the loss of New
York City only a question of days.
Washington's main army retreated to Harlem
Heights, leaving two brigades in the city and three
scattered from Fifteenth Street to Thirty-fourth
Street (Kip's Bay) to watch the enemy. On the 15th
of September, after a fierce bombardment of the Amer-
ican breastworks at Kip's Bay, the British made a
landing. The Americans were panic-stricken and fled.
Nothing remained but to continue the retreat to Har-
lem Heights. The three brigades that were posted on
the East River did this; the two in the city seemed
lost, for Howe, the English general, had only to
stretch his troops from the East River to the Hudson
to cut off their escape. Putnam through extraordinary
exertions brought these brigades safely into the Har-
lem camp that night.
Professor Henry P. Johnston of the College of the
City of New York, in his " Campaign of 1776 Around
New York and Brooklyn," writes as follows: " Al-
59
60 HISTORICAL NOTE
though skilfully conducted, this escape is to be re-
ferred, in reality, to Howe's supineness and the hos-
pitality of Mrs. Robert Murray, at whose house the
British generals stopped for rest and refreshment after
driving back our troops. Instead of continuing a
vigorous pursuit or making any effort to intercept
other parties, they spent a valuable interval at the
board of their entertaining hostess, whose American
sympathies added flavor and piquancy to the conversa-
tion." " Mrs. Murray," says Dr. Thacher in his mili-
tary journal, " treated them with cake and wine, and
they were induced to tarry two hours or more, Gov-
ernor Tryon frequently joking her about her American
friends. By this happy incident, General Putnam, by
continuing his march, escaped a rencounter with a
greatly superior force, which must have proved fatal to
his whole party. Ten minutes, it is said, wTould have
been sufficient for the enemy to have secured the road
at the turn and entirely cut off General Putnam's
retreat. It has since become almost a common saying
among our officers, that Mrs. Murray saved this part
of the American army."
CHARACTERS
General Howe \
General Tryon > English officers.
Captain Campbell )
Lieutenant Tom Treat, of the American army.
Mr. Robert Murray, Quaker.
Mrs. Robert Murray, Quaker.
Miss Delight Murray \
Miss Phcebe Murray > their daughters.
Miss Faith Murray )
Philip \
Spencer V the Morris Children visiting the Murrays.
Patty )
Mammy, their colored nurse.
A Hessian Orderly.
Aunt Polly, old apple-woman.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY
ACT I
SCENE
In Mrs. Murray's Parlor, Inclenburg, Murray
Hill, New York, September 15, 1776.
Entrances two, right and left. Small table against
wall to right of window, five chairs, loiv chest or
settle. Basket of knitting, wound balls of wool, shawl
and skirt and apron in bundle on table. Mr. Murray
seated by table. Mrs. Murray seated to right front
winding yarn, which Faith holds. Phcebe, left
front, on settle, sewing. Lieutenant Treat at win-
dow, back. Delight, with traveling wraps on, leans
on chair, center back.
Mrs. Murray
[To Delight.] Thou hast missed the pleasure of
seeing George Washington ; he made our house his
headquarters while thou wast with thy Tory friends.
Mr. Murray
Yes, we had several edifying talks with George.
He is a man of great parts.
63
64 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Delight
He will lose New York as he lost Long Island, for
all that.
Phoebe
So your Tory friends say.
Lieutenant Treat
He has not lost it yet. We have men here to dis-
pute any landing Howe may attempt and Putnam's
division of more than 3,000 still hold Fort Bayard in
the lower part of the city.
Delight
Putnam! a fine defense for the town! See how
his mismanagement gave Howe Brooklyn Heights!
His troops run at the sight of the enemy!
Faith
How you talk, Delight! This comes from visiting
those Tory Carletons.
Lieutenant Treat
If you had been on the battlefield of the Heights,
as I was, the night after the battle, you would have
seen that all of Putnam's men did not run at the
sight of the British.
[Turns away.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 65
Mrs. Murray
Yes, Delight, hast thou forgotten already thy poor
cousin Reuben?
Phcebe
And the Clay boys, and the DeForests. Fy, De-
light !
Delight
It were a pity if there were not a few brave Amer-
icans. I suppose it is folly to blame the militia for
running away when their General himself sets them
such an exalted example!
Mr. Murray
Daughter, thy language is light and ill-timed. I am
satisfied that our General is acting in the wisest pos-
sible way. Putnam's defeat on Long Island made
Washington's retreat imperative.
Mrs. Murray
Delight, I blush for thee! Did not Washington,
with his untrained militia, drive Howe and his regulars
in hot haste from Boston only last March?
Delight
Yes, but now Howe has returned with more British
regulars than before and with a splendid fleet to boot,
66 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
and Washington still has his handful of untrained
militia. Provincials!
Lieutenant Treat
Yes, Mistress Delight, you are right. Washington
has an undisciplined, unreliable army. Few of us have
faced a cannon ; we distrust one another and ourselves.
But, Mistress Delight, you can tell your Tory friends
that we are inspired by the noblest cause men ever
fought for, and that even Provincials will in time be-
come an invincible force under such a leader as George
Washington !
Faith and Phcebe
Yes! yes! long live General Washington! Long
live the army! Delight, you're a Tory!
[Wave sewing.
Children
[Outside.] Oh, here comes Aunt Polly! Let us
buy some apples! Come, Aunt Polly!
Delight
Are the Morris children here still?
Mrs. Murray
Yes, dear little souls!
[Enter Patty and Spencer.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 67
Patty
Dear Mr. Murray, Aunt Polly is coming! Aunt
Polly is coming! Could I have a penny for apples?
[Runs to him.
Spencer
Aunt Polly is coming! Oh, could we please buy
some apples?
Aunt Polly
[Outside.] Rich, ripe, red, rosy apples! ap-ples!
apples!
Lieutenant Treat
[Catching up Patty.] Rich, ripe, red, rosy apples!
ap-ples! ap-ples!
[Imitates Aunt Polly.
Spencer
Oh, do it again!
Patty
That's just like her!
[Exeunt Mr. Murray and Spencer
hand in hand.
Mrs. Murray
Yes, bring Aunt Polly in ! Here are some garments
I set by for her this morning.
[Takes from table shawl, skirt, and apron.
68 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Patty
[To Lieutenant Treat.] Put them on and call
out " apples."
[Faith and Phcebe pull the skirt over
Lieutenant Treat's head, fasten it,
put shawl over his head, pin it under
chin, tie apron. He takes Delight's
parasol for a cane.
Phoebe
We ought to have four shawls. Here, pin it !
Faith
I've never seen her with less than five. Now, bend
over! Farther than that.
Patty
[Hands baskets with balls of wool.] Here is your
apple-basket.
Phcebe
Here is Aunt Polly; see what she will say!
[Enter Aunt Polly, bent double, shawl
over head almost concealing face, big
apple-basket in one hand, cane in other.
Aunt Polly
[Calling as she enters.] Rich, ripe, red, rosy ap-
ples! apples! apples!
[Enter Spencer and Philip.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 69
Lieutenant Treat
[Imitates walk and cry of Aunt Polly.] Rich,
ripe, red, rosy apples! apples! apples!
Aunt Polly
[Peers at him and sloivly hobbles towards him.']
Lieutenant Treat
[Peers at her and slowly hobbles towards her.]
Spencer
Why, Philip! Why, look!
Patty
[Clapping hands, dancing up ind down.] Two
Aunt Pollys!
Aunt Polly
[Shakes apple in front of Lieutenant Treat.]
Who'll buy my apples! apples! apples!
Lieutenant Treat
[Shakes ball of worsted in face of Aunt Polly.]
Who'll buy my apples! apples! apples!
All
[Laugh.]
70 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Aunt Polly
[Listens to him, then says dryly] Take off thy
shawl, Master Tom; I know all thy tricks.
Mrs. Murray
Thou canst not fool friend Polly, Thomas.
Faith
She found you out!
Lieutenant Treat
Good lack! Aunt Polly, you're too smart for me.
[Laughs — takes off shawl, etc.
Aunt Polly
Thou wast always a great boy for tricks, ever since
thou wast that high.
[Points to Patty.
Lieutenant Treat
I believe she wanted these herself.
[Gives clothes to Aunt Polly.
Mrs. Murray
Yes, they will look better on thee. Shall I put
them in thy basket?
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 71
Aunt Polly
Nay, nay, I'll just put them on, and then I'll know
where they be.
[Puts on shawl.
Delight
But it is so warm to-day !
Aunt Polly
Ay ! ay ! and it will be warmer yet ! What art thou
doing here, Master Tom, and the Redcoats soon land-
ing at Kip's Bay?
Delight
Why, that's right below us!
Mrs. Murray
How dost thou know?
Aunt Polly
From the top of the hill, as I tarried for a breath,
I marked their boats full of soldiers making towards
the land.
Lieutenant Treat
Landing! Kip's Bay! I'm away! [Looks for hat,
which Philip has on.] We must hold them at the
landing. This is the worst of news! Patty, have you
my hat?
72 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Mrs. Murray
Why the worst of news?
LIEUTENANT TREAT
Because if they make us retreat from here they will
cut off Putnam's division of 3,000 men back in the
city. Where is my hat? We can't lose 3,000 men
now!
Mrs. Murray
Nay, but tarry a moment, Thomas! Will there
be fighting at Kip's Bay?
Lieutenant Treat
[Still striding up and down.] I hope so, if we
Provincials do not take to our heels again. [Makes
low bow to Delight. Snatches hat from Philip.]
Here, you little rascal! [Kisses Mrs. Murray's
hand.] Farewell, dear Madame! Farewell, dear
girls !
Mrs. Murray
May the Lord protect thee, dear lad!
[Guns are heard.
Patty
[Clinging to Treat.] Oh! I hear the guns! Don't
go and get killed! don't go and get killed!
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 73
Faith
Hark! Yes, those are the guns!
Phcebe
Oh, dreadful !
Lieutenant Treat
[Stooping to kiss Patty and loosen her hands.'] I'll
come back and sell you all some more " Apples ! Ap-
ples! Apples! "
[Throws worsted balls at Children;
goes out running, followed by Chil-
dren.
[Sound of horses' feet — guns.
CURTAIN
ACT II
Scene same as Act I. Two hours later.
Spencer writing at table, center; Phcebe at his left.
Mammy knitting at left. Delight at right front
with Patty in lap. Philip at her side, looking at
picture book she is showing them.
Spencer
That's a good g, I like that g. Philip couldn't make
such a fine g.
[Holds up letter.
Philip
Yes, I could.
Spencer
No, you couldn't.
Phcebe
You'll never have done, Spencer, unless you hasten,
e-n-e-r-a-1.
Spencer
[Writing.] G-e-n-e-r-a-1. Now don't tell me! I
know how to spell, Washington. W-a-s
74
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 75
Phcebe
Oh, Spencer! not a small w, a large one!
Spencer
[Anxiously.] Is it spoilt?
Philip
[To Delight.] Spencer spells Washington with a
small w.
[Laughs.
Spencer
[Indignantly.] You couldn't spell it at all!
Delight
Come, Master Philip, I thought we were looking at
pictures.
Phcebe
Perchance I can change it.
[Bends over letter.
Delight
[To Phcebe.] The cannonading has ceased; I
wonder what that can mean.
Phcebe
Yes, I noticed that. Do you suppose we've driven
the British back to their boats? Why would not
Father permit us to go with him and see?
76 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Patty
When Tom's beaten the British he'll come back and
sell us some more apples.
Philip
Like this, " Rich, ripe, red, rosy apples! " I thought
there were two Aunt Pollys.
Patty
I knew, didn't I, Delight? I could tell him even
in the dark; he says, " Apples, apples " like that.
Mammy
It's time you chilluns went to pick up the playhouse
fl0' — all yo'r toys'll jes be trompled to splinters. Soop
as Master Spencer finish his Mommy's letter, we'll
be 'bleeged to go and set about it.
Philip
Oh, no, Mammy, not now. [In loud whisper.']
Delight is showing us pictures and it would not be
perlite.
Mammy
[Placidly.'] Jes' as soon as Mas'er Spencer gets
through, we starts.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 77
Spencer
You needn't wait for me, Mammy; you can leave
my blocks and I'll pick them up to-morrow.
Philip
Yes, Mammy, I'll pick my toys up to-morrow, too.
Patty
I'll pick my toys up to-morrow.
Mammy
To-morrow don't neber come, honey; all de time
you's got is jes' to-day.
Spencer
[Stretches arms.] There now, Phoebe, it's all done.
It is a long letter. Mother will like it. Thank you
for helping me. [Puts arms around Phcebe's neck.]
Now I'll read it. [Stands on chair.] " My honored
Mother. I read every day with Faith; Phoebe helps
me write. Mrs. Murray says that I am industrious.
General Washington " Now isn't that a good G?
[Shows letter to others, Philip sniffs at it.] " General
Washington galloped past the window on his white
horse to fight the British ; he is going to beat General
Howe as he did at Boston. Tom says so, and he
knows. We want to see you. Patty had a ride on
78 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
General Washington's horse. My duty to my hon-
ored father. From your son Spencer."
[Folds letter.
Delight
That's a fine letter, in truth. Will you send it to
the ferry by Aunt Polly?
Spencer
Yes, when she comes back.
Mammy
[Folding knitting and rising.] Now, chilluns, we
starts for to put up dem toys, right away, imejit.
Philip
But, Mammy, why can't we wait till to-morrow?
Mammy
Yo' don't neber cotch to-morrow, honey, yo' don't
neber get near enough to put salt on his tail. [Sol-
emnly.] All you hab is jes' to-day! To-morrow neber
comes.
Patty
Why, yesterday we had to-morrow, and to-day
Philip
[Interrupts.] And to-day, we have to-day!
Mammy is right. To-morrow neber comes.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 79
Spencer
All we have is just to-day.
Children
Come orij Mammy! all we have is just to-day! [Go
out laughing, dragging Mammy with them.~\ To-
morrow neber comes; all we have is just to-day, etc.
[Enter Mrs. Murray and Faith, right.
Mrs. Murray
Thy father is coming up the drive; he was talking
to a horseman at the gate and perchance he has some
news of our men.
[Enter Mr. Murray slowly.
Mr. Murray
News! Ay, the most appalling news!
Mrs. Murray, Delight, Phcebe, and Faith
[Gather around him.] What is it? What is it?
Mr. Murray
Our army is in full retreat for Harlem. They were
seized by panic and fled without striking a blow!
Mrs. Murray
Incredible, Robert!
80 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Mr. Murray
Would it were not so, but I saw the last part of the
affair myself.
Faith
Oh, continue, Father; continue! I beg!
Mr. Murray
Tom has just told me, that under cover of a can-
nonade from the frigates the British landed troops
near our redoubts down here at Kip's Bay. Our men
retired from the redoubts and drew up in line to meet
the approaching foe. But although the Americans out-
numbered the enemy at first, at the appearance of only
sixty or seventy of the British, they were seized with
panic and scattered and ran.
Delight
How shameful!
Mr. Murray
Putnam succeeded in rallying them once, but the
Connecticut militia broke again before any attack was
made.
Mrs. Murray
How distressing! Was Washington there?
Mr. Murray
Yes, and his anger was great at such cowardice.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 81
He rode into the midst of the fleeing militia, ordering
them to re-form behind the stone wall or in the corn-
field.
Phcebe
What! our cornfield?
Mr. Murray
Yes, our cornfield; and in his bitterness he so ut-
terly forgot his own danger, that it is said he would
have been killed if one of his aides had not pulled
the bridle of his horse and changed his course.
Mrs. Murray
How brave he is!
Faith
[Suddenly bursting into tears.] Oh! Oh! Oh!
It seems as though I could not bear it.
Phcebe and Mrs. Murray
Bear what, dear child?
Faith
To — to — to — have the Americans run from the
British. Oh! Oh!
82 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Delight
Never mind, sweetheart! It was the Connecticut
militia and not the New Yorkers.
Mr. Murray
The New Yorkers ran, too, as fast as the others!
I saw Tom a moment; he told me this and could
scarce look at me.
Mrs. Murray
Thomas would feel the cowardice of his Connecticut
men keenly.
Mr. Murray
As Tom was adjusting his saddle, Putnam went by
like an arrow, back into the city to try and rescue the
Brigade at Bayard's Hill Fort and bring them safe
to Harlem.
Phcebe
Why, way down town! They will never get away.
Mr. Murray
Tom no sooner spied him than he leapt to his horse
and was after him ; he's one of Putnam's aides.
Mrs. Murray
If Putnam's division were captured, would that be
the end of the war?
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 83
Mr. Murray
No, as long as we have an army in the field there
is hope; but to lose 3,000 men, as well as the city of
New York, will be a terrible blow. ... A terrible
blow.
Faith
Will Putnam try to lead his men to the army at
Harlem by the Kingsbridge road, or the Bloomingdale
road?
Mr. Murray
He must needs take the Bloomingdale road to the
west of us, by the Hudson. Howe's men are in pos-
session of the East road, the Kingsbridge road. But
in ten minutes' march from this house, Howe can
secure the turn of the Bloomingdale road also.
[Draws map with cane on the floor.
Delight
And then?
Mr. Murray
[Still pointing.] With the Kingsbridge road and
the Bloomingdale road in Howe's hands and his men
holding our road across the island controlling both
roads? Putnam is lost!
[Beats hands together.
Mrs. Murray
If only our men had delayed Howe an hour or two!
84 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Mr. Murray
Fatal panic! Putnam could easily have saved his
division with two hours' start. Now the poor fellows
will strain every nerve to save themselves, only to be
taken prisoners or killed at the Bloomingdale turn, and
in this heat, too !
[Goes to windoiv.
Phcebe
This withering heat ! Oh, the poor men !
Delight
Putnam's men are used to running; they won't
mind it!
Faith
[Weeping.] Delight Murray! Hold thy tongue!
Mrs. Murray
[To herself, center front.] Two hours! If Howe
could but be detained!
Mr. Murray
[From window.] There, I was expecting it!
All
What?
Mr. Murray
[Pointing.] The British are coming.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 85
Mrs. Murray
Where? Dost thou see William Howe?
Mr. Murray
There, at the head. Tryon is with him.
[All look out of window.
Mr. Murray
I do not want to see him.
[Turns away bitterly.
Mrs. Murray
[With decision. ,] But / do! Girls, hasten! Come,
Delight ; we will speak to William Howe.
[Catches up scarf, throws over head, and
hurries out, dragging Phcebe, who
protests.
Delight
What does Mother mean? Oh, I know!
[Takes up hat and darts out.
Mr. Murray
[Looking after them, then goes to window.^ Are
thy mother and sisters mad? Look, they are at the
orchard wall. Howe has stopped — he is talking to
them!
86 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Faith
And Mother is courtesying, and they are all bow-
ing and talking.
Mr. Murray
[Indignantly.] Is Mary Murray making friends
with our enemies, flushed and boastful as they are
from their shameful victory?
Faith
See, they are riding on ; no, they are turning back.
Mr. Murray
They are dismounting! The soldiers are halted
and are breaking ranks. Howe and Tryon are com-
ing towards the house!
Faith
Oh, why didn't we understand before! Of course!
Of course!
[Runs out.
Mr. Murray
[Looks after her.~\ And now she's gone! [Calls
after.] Faith! Faith Murray! come back!
[Re-enter Faith.
Faith
Oh, Father: what is it? let me go! dost thou not
understand ?
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 87
Mr. Murray
No, I do not understand thy mother and thy sisters!
and thee! One moment lamenting and weeping over
our defeat, the next parleying with the victorious foe.
Faith
[Holding Mr. Murray by his coat lapels.~\ Oh,
Father, dost thou not see! [Shakes him by his coat.]
Mother will strive to detain the British here until Put-
nam's soldiers have made their escape. [Gives little
shake.] Now be pleasant, Father; smile on them!
Let me go! [Runs out, re-enters.] We must keep
them two hours. Fetch thy best wine, Father!
[Runs out.
Mr. Murray
[Rubs his head.] Truly the ways of women are
amazing.
CURTAIN
ACT III
Scene same as Act I. Mrs. Murray center,
seated. Mr. Murray standing by her, left. Howe,
sitting, right front. Tryon, right center, standing.
Campbell, left, standing by Phcebe and Faith.
Delight, sitting, extreme right. All laughing and
talking before curtain rises.
Howe
You were caught there, Tryon; ha! ha! she had you
there!
Campbell
You were routed horse and foot.
[Laughs.
Tryon
[Laughing.] It is all very well for you gentlemen
to laugh at me, but why don't you come to my rescue ?
Howe
We are far too wise, my dear General; it is too
diverting to watch your struggles.
88
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 89
Tryon
They say we British never know when we are con-
quered, so I return to the fray. I maintain you've seen
the last of your runaway army, Madam. Mr. Wash-
ington I am sorry for; he is a gallant fellow, but what
could he expect from a handful of undisciplined yeo-
manry? Why, they ran like sheep, Madam! Faith,
'twas laughable; before only sixty or seventy of our
troops. The wildest panic seized them, and they ran
like sheep, Madam. At the pace they were going they
should be near Canada now. [Laughs.] Would you
match such cowards against our brave regulars?
Mrs. Murray
No, Friend Tryon, I would not. Our men are no
match for the British in running away!
Tryon
[Indignantly.] In running away! Why, my dear
Madam
Mrs. Murray
Yes, when it comes to running away I doubt
whether even Americans could flee from Concord to
Boston as quickly as thy regulars did last year!
[Howe, Campbell, and the Misses
Murray laugh.
90 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Tryon
But those rascally Yankees, — I beg your pardon,
Madam, those rebels — would not meet our men in a
fair fight, but concealed themselves like the bloody
savages behind hedges and stone walls. The mode of
attack unusual, the foe invisible, naturally our troops
were seized with — with
Mrs. Murray
[Slyly.] A panic?
Tryon
Um — er — well, yes, a — a panic, but-
Mrs. Murray
Yes, a panic, Friend Tryon, and they ran, thy brave
regulars, they ran like sheep !
[Tryon makes hopeless gesture and bends
to Mrs. Murray's fingers.
Howe
[Rises and slaps Tryon on shoulder.] We must
make our retreat, General, to withdraw you f.om the
fire of the enemy. Panic cannot be guarded against.
The most reliable soldiers succumb to it. In fact, my
dear Madam, I must admit that you see one of its
victims before you. [Bows.] You American ladies
wage such deadly warfare with your keen tongues and
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 91
bright eyes, that if I do not beat a retreat instantly
we shall all be taken captive.
[Bows.
Campbell
[Jumps up.] Shall I get the troops under way,
General ?
Mrs. Murray
I protest, Friend William; thou shalt not go yet.
Some of Robert's Madeira thou hast had indeed, but
did I not promise thee a peach punch such as only
Aunt Chloe can brew? I protest against such haste.
Faith, speak to one of the servants about the punch.
[Exit Faith.
Howe
If, as I am told, Putnam has already escaped
me
Campbell
[Rising.] Your Excellency's pardon, but would it
not be well, as a precaution, to send ahead troops, to
hold all the roads leading from the city?
Tryon
Oh, Campbell, pray be seated and talk not of catch-
ing those fleet-footed Connecticut rogues. [Laughs.]
I tell you that, Madam Murray notwithstanding, they
are at Hudson's Bay by this time.
[Laughs.
92 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Howe
Those Connecticut rogues cannot always be de-
pended on to run, Tryon; would that they had run
from that rail fence on Bunker Hill! Many a brave
fellow of mine would be alive to-day, if those Con-
necticut farmers in shirt sleeves with laughable ex-
cuses for guns had not obstinately held that frail de-
fense in the face of our most persistent attacks!
Campbell
Was it so, indeed! Untrained peasants!
Howe
And when their powder gave out, they fought our
bayonets back with the butts of their muskets! In-
credible, reckless bravery!
Campbell
A pity to lose a brush with such foes! If we pushed
on at once! Perchance they have not yet escaped us!
Howe
My information was most emphatic that Putnam
had already retreated by the Blooming — er — er —
Bloomingham
[Turns to Mr. Murray.
Mr. Murray
Bloomingdale road.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 93
Howe
Yes, the Bloomingdale road ; and if that is the case,
— perhaps
[Turns to the Girls.
Delight
The sun is monstrous hot now, General Howe.
Phcebe
and Chloe's peach punch is always monstrous
cool.
Howe
You see, Mistress Murray, [sinks down in chair~\
my panic is justified ; we are your prisoners for a few
minutes more.
Campbell
[Slowly reseats himself. ,]
Mrs. Murray
'Twould indeed be a cowardly action to flee before
the peach punch, Friend William.
Howe
[To Phcebe.] And may I beg of Mistress Phcebe
94 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
the favor of seeing the famous sampler of her grand-
mother's of which she spoke?
Phoebe
[Rising.] With pleasure. It hangs in the hall.
Will you come?
Mrs. Murray
Tell all about the design, Phcebe.
[Phcebe goes off, right, followed by
Howe.
Howe
[As he disappears.] Now Lady Margaret Sidney,
first paints
Campbell
[Aside to Tryon.] I would the General would
let me press on ahead; I'm not so sure this Putnam
can have made his escape.
Tryon
Why, the General's advices were reliable. Pa-
tience, my hot young blade! Putnam has escaped to-
day, but we'll bag all of them to-morrow. Here, Miss
Delight, talk to this would-be deserter.
[Campbell, Tryon, Delight talk, left.
[Enter Spencer, left.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 95
Spencer
Madam, Aunt Polly wishes to speak to you and I
told her to come in.
[Enter Lieutenant Treat, left, dis-
guised as Aunt Polly, shawl drawn
way over face, and Patty.
Mrs. Murray
[Rising, going right front with LIEUTENANT
Treat.] What brings thee here so soon again, Aunt
Polly?
Lieutenant Treat
[Hobbles in silence to corner of stage.]
Mr. Murray
[To Tryon.] Perchance thou hast seen Aunt
Polly, the Apple-woman ; she is quite a privileged char-
acter in these parts.
[Tryon nods.
Patty
[To Delight.] That is Tom, not Aunt Polly.
Don't tell Spencer; he doesn't know.
Delight
[Whispers.] Are you sure?
96 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Patty
[Nods.] Yes. Don't tell Spencer.
[Starts to dance off near Lieutenant
Treat.
Delight
[Pulls her back. ,] Then don't tell anybody! We'll
have a great big secret! Here, stay with me!
[Delight, Campbell, Tryon, and
Patty talk, left.
Lieutenant Treat
[In Aunt Polly's manner.] I forgot to show thee
these apples.
[Lifts his face and shows Mrs. Murray
and audience who he is.
Mrs. Murray
[Looks over her shoulder.] Why hast thou ventured
in this house, reckless boy? [Louder.] I need no
more apples, Aunt Polly! [Softer.] What dost thou
want?
Lieutenant Treat
Keep the British here for half an hour more and
Putnam's division will be saved. [Loud.] But,
Madam, these are tart and savory.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 97
Campbell
[7*0 Patty.] You know George Washington,
then.
Patty
I had a ride yesterday on his horse.
Delight
He made this house his headquarters lately.
Tryon
Ah ! then doubtless you know all the General's plans.
Delight
Yes, I do, and I'll tell them.
[Lieutenant Treat refuses to be led
out by Mrs. Murray, stops and lis-
tens— grasps Mrs. Murray's wrist.
Tryon and Campbell stand with
backs to him.
Campbell
Well, upon my word, that's monstrous civil of you!
Delight
He's going to fight and
98 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Tryon
[Interrupts with scornful laugh.~\ Yes, and run.
Delight
Yes, fight and run and fight ! He will give you the
slip when you're surest of capturing him. He'll attack
when you least expect it. He'll never despair, and
he'll end by catching you all.
Lieutenant Treat
[Makes a motion of pleasure, stands erect."]
Mrs. Murray
[Draws him down, keeps him from betraying himself.]
Tryon
[Laughs.] Well, Campbell, we get little comfort
from this young rebel! Perhaps Miss Phoebe will be
kinder to us.
Campbell
Yes, show us that famous sampler, Miss Murray,
that General Howe finds so fascinating.
[Exeunt Tryon and Children, Camp-
bell insists on going out after DE-
LIGHT and turns back in time to see
Lieutenant Treat straighten up
and look after them.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 99
Mrs. Murray
Out of here this instant, thou mad boy ! Howe shall
be kept, fear not ! Only go ! Oh, I am in such agony !
Robert, take him away!
Lieutenant Treat
No, I shall make my escape, do not fear! I tried
to send the children for you, but they insisted on my
coming here. Patty, the little baggage! recognized
me and kept me calling " Apples.'*
Mrs. Murray
I will not listen to thee. Go!
Mr. Murray
{Who is watching at door, right.] Begone while
there is time!
Lieutenant Treat
I'm off. [Adjusts skirt.'] But this rigging is hard
to handle. I grabbed the top layer of Aunt Polly's
attire and left her guarding my horse by the river.
Our men should be at the turn now, but in ten min-
utes' march, if they knew it, the British could seize
that turn of the road and trap us all.
[Takes up basket.
ioo LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Mr. Murray
I cannot have thee caught and hung from one of
my trees, Thomas. This is desperate business!
Hurry ! Away, boy !
Lieutenant Treat
Putnam's men are a plucky lot. They are nearly
dying from the heat and exertion, but they manage
to gasp out a cheer for Putnam as he dashes back and
forth encouraging them. We can't lose such men!
Hold on to Howe!
[Exit Lieutenant Treat.
[Enter Delight.
Delight
Has Tom gone? What did he come here for?
Mrs. Murray
Putnam sent him to reconnoiter and
[Enter Lieutenant Treat.
Lieutenant Treat
Delight, I heard your voice and I came back to
thank you for defending our General so gallantly and
flouting those arrogant Britishers!
[Drops basket, stretches hands to De-
light.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 101
Mrs. Murray
I told thee to begone!
Mr. Murray
Back again!
Delight
Tom Treat! You tiresome creature, come with me
this instant! I'll show you a short cut to the river.
[Lieutenant Treat starts to leave.] Don't forget
your basket!
[Exit Delight.
Lieutenant Treat
Farewell, dear Madam.
[Takes basket, starts again to leave.
[Enter Spencer, right.
Spencer
[With letter.] Here, Aunt Polly, take my letter
to the ferryman ; please do.
Mr. Murray
[Holding him back.] Nay, Spencer, nay!
Mrs. Murray
Yes, take it quick, Aunt Polly.
[Lieutenant Treat takes letter, exit.
102 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Robert, wilt thou tell Chloe to send the peach punch
to the north parlor?
[Exeunt Mrs. Murray and Spencer,
right.
[Exit Mr. Murray, left.
[Enter Campbell, right, walking back-
ward and motioning and beckoning to
right.
[Enter Tryon.
Campbell
I thought you would never see my signals! I wish
we were away! The whole family are in a plot to
keep us!
Tryon
Oh, my dear boy, you don't know these good Mur-
rays yet.
Campbell
I know they are monstrous civil to their enemies.
And for some good reason. Look how that bewitch-
ing lady winds General Howe about her finger!
Three times he has risen to go and as many times she
has skilfully and apparently artlessly prevailed on him
to remain!
Tryon
Howe is a courtly gentleman. All women admire
him.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 103
Campbell
Something's in the air; I feel it [Walks up
and down.] What about that apple-woman?
Tryon
[Laughs hard.] You are determined to be sus-
picious! Why, poor Aunt Polly! When I was gov-
ernor I saw her nearly every day: always bent over
double and rather
[Taps forehead.
Campbell
[Silent, then suddenly grasps Tryon's arm.] " Al-
ways bent over double," you say! I saw that woman
stand up straight as a pike! I believe a spy has taken
her disguise in order to enter our lines!
Tryon
Oh, Campbell! you are droll! [Laughs.] I'm go-
ing back to the peach punch !
Campbell
That's another thing, that peach punch! it's delayed
us three-quarters of an hour! Confound it! I'm
going to have my orderly catch that apple-woman and
bring her in for examination.
io4 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Tryon
[Laughs harder.] Yes, yes, and after that arrest
the town pump !
[Exit.
Campbell
[Looks after him, hesitates, then strides to door,
calls] Orderly! Orderly!
[Enter Hessian Orderly, salutes.
Campbell
Did you see an old woman with a basket of apples,
just now?
Hessian
[Salutes.] Zum Befehl, Herr Hauptmann!
[Enter Delight, overhears.
Campbell
Take three men and search the premises for her
and bring her to me.
Hessian
Zum Befehl.
[Salutes, goes out.
Campbell
[Stumbles over Aunt Polly's stick.] What's
this? [Sees Delight.] Oh, the staff of your feeble
old Aunt Polly.
[Lifts up stick.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 105
Delight
[Carelessly.] It does look like it. Perhaps she will
return for it.
Campbell
[With meaning.] Perhaps she will!
[Enter three Children and Mammy,
left.
Philip
[To Spencer] Is that General Howe?
Spencer
No, I'll show you Gereral Howe; he's coming with
Mrs. Murray.
[Enter, right, Howe, Tryon, Mrs.
Murray, Faith, and Phcebe.
Howe
[With glass in hand.] This punch surpasses my
fondest hopes, fair Madam.
[Children lined up front, left, Mammy
behind them.
Philip
[In a hoarse whisper.] The one with the glass?
106 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Howe
[Turns, sees Children.] Well, Mrs. Murray, I
see that I am on parade. [To Patty.] Come, my
pretty chuck, have you never seen a general before that
you all stare at one so !
Patty
Oh, we've seen our General Washington.
Philip and Spencer
We want to see him again.
Howe
You will soon see him, never fear, as I'm going to
capture him.
Patty
When?
Howe
To-morrow. I'll bring him back my prisoner.
Philip
But his men won't let you. They'll fight! Tom
will fight!
Howe
I'll catch all his men, too, and make them shout for
King George.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 107
Philip and Spencer
To-morrow ?
Howe
Yes, all you little Americans will have to turn Eng-
lish again, for I'm sure to catch Washington to-
morrow and end the war by to-morrow night.
Patty
But Mammy says, to-morrow neber comes!
All the Children
To-morrow never comes, to-morrow never comes!
Howe
[Good-humoredly.] What do you mean, you little
rascals ?
Children
All the time you have is just to-day; Mammy says
so. So you'll never catch Washington to-morrow!
Campbell
[Aside to Tryon.] That's a true word.
Mammy
[Aside to Delight.] Oh, dem chiluns, dem
chiluns!
108 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Howe
If that's the case, you little rebels, I'll begin cap-
turing to-day !
[Chases the Children, who laugh and
dodge.
[Enter Hessian Orderly, who salutes.
Campbell
Have you found her?
Hessian
Ja wohl, Herr Hauptmann.
Tryon
[To Howe.] Our enterprising soldier here has
found a spy. [Laughs.] These new brooms!
[Laughs.
Howe
A spy! Since he's been here?
Tryon
[Laughing.] And a woman at that? Are you not
alarmed, Miss Phoebe?
Campbell
Oh, sir, I beg of you
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 109
Tryon
She must be fetched here; 'tis a monstrous solemn
occasion ! Bring her in, Orderly.
[Laughs.
[Enter Mr. Murray.
[Exit Orderly.
Mrs. Murray
A spy! under my roof? Surely Friend Campbell is
jesting! Who is it?
Tryon
[Laughing.] That is the joke. I'll wager you
have been as blind as I to the dangerous menace to
society that has been walking our streets so long.
Howe
What do you mean, Campbell? Would you accuse
our hostess of introducing a spy?
Campbell
Why, sir, I
Tryon
[Interrupting.] Good lack! I can scarce speak for
laughing. Campbell with his brilliant penetration has
discovered that a spy has entered our lines, marched
into this very room, counted the number of glasses of
no LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
flip Howe has dispatched and who knows what else,
under the disguise of Oh! how you will all
laugh ! Under the disguise of Aunt Polly !
[Enter Aunt Polly and Orderly, who
follows her closely; she shakes his
hand off and hobbles, very much bent,
to front center.
Mrs. Murray, Children, and the Girls
Aunt Polly!
Mrs. Murray
[Hurries to Aunt Polly.] Surely thou dost not
mean our dear Aunt Polly !
Delight
It is a mistake!
Tryon
I thought you would have laughed soundly at Camp-
bell's idea, Madam.
Mrs. Murray
[Clinging to a chair, trying to laugh.] Vastly di-
verted! yes! yes!
Campbell
By your leave, General, I will proceed to the ex-
amination.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY in
Mrs. Murray
I beg, Friend William, that thou wilt permit me to
examine our old friend in private. Friend Campbell's
well-meant zeal would alarm her unnecessarily.
Tryon
Nay, nay, Madam, I protest! Would you cheat us
all of the dreadful pleasure of seeing a Yankee spy,
bristling with pistols, emerge from that sphinx-like ex-
terior? Witness my daring valor, while I remove
[Steps towards Aunt Polly.
Delight
Oh, I pray you, stop this joke. We are all weak
with laughter, and let me lead Aunt Polly to the
kitchen.
[Starts to lead her.
Howe
Captain Campbell, if the ladies
Campbell
[Sternly.] General Howe, I saw this bent old
woman suddenly stand erect as a young man when she
thought I had left the room. She pretends to be lame,
yet she completely forgot her stick. She does not (by
your leave) quit my sight until I am satisfied. [To
Aunt Polly.] Take off your shawl, woman.
ii2 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Aunt Polly
[Slowly turns around toivards Campbell, sees her
staff in his hand, makes successful grab for it, wipes
it on her apron, takes former attitude.]
[Howe, Tryon, and Children laugh.
Mr. Murray
Thou seest that Aunt Polly is old and eccentric, but
we know her well, and if any one tried to penetrate this
house in her disguise we would be the first to know.
Campbell
[Dryly.'] Doubtless, but not the first to tell !
[Orderly and Campbell pull off Aunt
Polly's first shawl, she resists — they
pull off second shawl, third shawl.
Aunt Polly's face is hid. Breath-
less interest by Americans. Howe
and Tryon amused.
Tryon
This is no moment for hesitation ; proceed to the
charge ! [Laughs.
[Jerks off last shawl. Aunt Polly's neat gray head
is revealed; she is bent over and looks around with
angry eyes.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 113
Campbell
[Starts back.] An old woman!
Mrs. Murray
[Falls into chair, laughing.] How diverting!
Delight
[Hugging Patty, who has climbed on a chair to
look.] Aunt Polly!
The Children
Aunt Polly!
Tryon
[Claps Campbell on shoulder.] So this is our
dare-devil spy!
Howe
Well, my boy! better luck next time.
[Laughs.
Campbell
[Puzzled.] This is evidently your Aunt Polly.
You may laugh, sirs, but the first one was the spy.
She stood straight. Look at those shoulders!
Faith
What is a spy, Delight? Some one bad?
n+ LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Hessian
[Shakes Aunt Polly's sleeve, she struggles, he
pulls out letter.] Was ist das, Herr Hauptmann?
[Hands it to Campbell.
Campbell
[Triumphantly.] A concealed letter! [Opens,
reads to himself.] hm — not in cipher. [To Mrs.
Murray.] Your name is in it, Madam, and yours
[To Howe].
[Howe and Mrs. Murray draw near.
Campbell
[Reads.] " General Washington galloped past —
um — he's going to beat General Howe as he did in
Boston "
Spencer
Why, that's my letter to Mother ! You've torn my
letter. I gave it to Aunt Polly the last time she was
here. [Almost crying.] Please give it to me!
Howe
And you gave it to Aunt Polly when she was here
before ?
Spencer
Ye*, to give to the ferryman [takes letter from
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 115
Campbell and smoothes it out] and now it's spoilt,
Phoebe!
[Goes almost crying to Phcebe to be
comforted.
Howe
Then your theory of a spy has a fatc.I blow since
this letter is found on our old friend. I, for one, am
glad we have no dismal scenes with spies.
Philip
Isn't it nice to be a spy?
Tryon
It's not nice to be caught.
Howe
Now, my dear madam, pray accept my thanks
for your amiable civility to a hungry and thirsty
foe, and permit me also to wish the lovely mother of
lovely daughters health and prosperity and — a change
of heart.
[Bows.
Mrs. Murray
Thy visit has been most welcome, Friend William;
if thou wouldst only tarry longer perhaps — perhaps
our rebels hearts would change. [Howe smiles and
n6 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
shakes his head.] No? Then we will accompany thee
to the porch.
[Goes out, left, followed by Howe.
Tryon
Farewell, my dear young ladies! We leave with
heavy hearts such an array of beauty.
[Bows, goes out, followed by Mr.
Murray.
Children
Farewell, Captain Campbell. Aunt Polly is not a spy.
Campbell
[Dejectedly.] I suppose I shall never hear the last
of this.
[Starts slowly off, left.
Delight
[Looks at him, starts to speak, hesitates.] Oh, —
Captain Campbell! [Campbell turns.] He
laughs best, who laughs last! If they are too teasing,
refer them to Patty!
Campbell
To Patty? [Eagerly.] Ah, Mistress Murray,
a truce! a truce! You tell me noiv!
[Stretches both hands towards her.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 117
Delight
[Draws back.] No truces, with foes! but — if you
ever meet a certain Lieutenant of the Connecticut
Militia, ask him how tall he is — when he stands up
straight.
Campbell
Then I was right! [Jubilantly.'] I felt it! Con-
necticut Militia, you say. He had no panic! A thou-
sand thanks for the balm to my wounded vanity! I
kiss your hand. [Suits action to word.] Now, I'll
laugh at Tryon. Farewell. I hope all your Lieu-
tenants are not as brave as this Connecticut Yankee.
[Bows, runs out, followed by every one
but Delight and Aunt Polly.
Delight
[Looks after Campbell, then turns to Aunt
Polly.] Oh, poor Aunt Polly! Those horrid Hes-
sians! Did they hurt you? Did Putnam's men get by
the turn? Where is Tom?
Aunt Polly
[Taking a note from the hem of her apron.] Them
Britishers ain't as smart as they claim. Here's a bit of
paper from Mr. Tom.
[Enter Phcebe, Faith, Children, and
Mammy.
n8 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Delight
Oh, girls: here is a note from Tom! [They crowd
around her.] Wait! " If you keep Howe until Aunt
Polly brings you this, Putnam's division will be saved —
saved by the quick wit of Mrs. Murray! God bless
her!" Oh! beautiful!
[All clap hands softly.
Phcebe
There, they are all riding off now.
[Looking out of window.
Faith
And Mother kept them, in spite of everything!
Darling Mother!
Phoebe
And how she sparred with General Tryon!
" Madam, I beg you to remember, we won Bunker
Hill!"
Faith
[In Mrs. Murray's manner.'] " Friend Tryon, I
beg thee to remember who has the Hill now! " Chil-
dren, here comes Mother; let's dance around her.
[Enter Mrs. Murray and Mr. Murray.
[Delight, Phcebe, etc., dancing around
them.
MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 119
All
Mrs. Murray has saved General Putnam's division,
etc.
[They dance around her.
Mrs. Murray
Stop! children! stop! ye make me giddy! What
does this mean! How dost thou know, Delight, that
Putnam is safe?
Delight
Aunt Polly brought us this [hands paper to Mr.
Murray], in her apron hem.
Mr. Murray
[Reads.] " If you keep Howe until Aunt Polly
brings you this, Putnam's division will be saved —
saved by the quick wit of Mrs. Murray! God bless
her!"
Mrs. Murray
What! are they by the Bloomingdale turn at last!
Is Tom safe?
Delight
Yes, Tom is safe and Putnam's three thousand
men. Saved by Mrs. Murray's Dinner Party!
[All make low courtesies to Mrs. Mur-
ray, center.
120 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY
Mrs. Murray
[Turns with quivering face to Mr. Murray.]
Oh, Robert!
[Hides face on his sleeve. Mr. Mur-
ray puts arm around her.
CURTAIN
FOUR SCENES FROM THE TIME
OF LINCOLN
IN BOSTON, 1864
CHARACTERS
Mrs. Beacon, cutting out clothes.
Mrs. Collins, sewing.
Mrs. Dillingham, sewing.
Miss Eaton, packing box for soldiers.
Fannie, aged eleven, knitting.
Gertrude, aged twelve, knitting.
Barbara, aged six, scraping lint.
Capt. Dillingham, in uniform, arm in sling.
Capt. Hill, in uniform, leg bound in splint, crutches.
Costumes of 1864
Scene: Sitting-room of Mrs. Beacon in Boston.
Entrance left. Table right center.
Curtain rises on the ladies sewing for the soldiers.
Barbara sitting on the front of center table, scraping
lint. Mrs. Beacon standing cutting cloth at the back
of same table. Capt. Hill and Miss Eaton at left of
stage, packing box. Capt. Hill has bound-up leg
resting on chair. Fannie and Gertrude, right front.
Mrs. Collins, left center. Mrs. Dillingham, right.
123
124 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN
Mrs. Collins
[To Mrs. Dillingham.] If I were you I would
face that with the bias; it goes faster.
Mrs. Dillingham
I will; I'm glad you spoke of it.
Barbara
[Stretching out her little arms.] Oh, I'm so tired
scraping lint. I want to play with my doll.
Mrs. Beacon
[Standing by table.] Poor little Barbara! she has
been a good girl. Every day she comes over and
works for the soldiers. [Lifts her down.] There,
Barbara, you've worked enough.
[Barbara plays around with her doll to
left of Capt. Hill.
Mrs. Collins
How is your Captain, Mrs. Dillingham? Did I
hear that he was going back to the army next week?
Mrs. Dillingham
His arm is nearly well. I can't keep him home
much longer.
[Enter Capt. Dillingham.
IN BOSTON, 1864 I25
Capt. Dillingham
Good-morning, ladies; good morning, Captain. [To
Hill.] Every one busy as usual. Now don't move.
I'll find a seat on the table. [Sits on table.] Do
you know, Miss Eaton, I only heard yesterday that
Mrs. Bixby, who lives right across the street from
my father's house, had sent her five boys to the war
and that all of them had been killed. I've played
with every one of those boys.
Miss Eaton
Poor Mrs. Bixby! If you knew the boys you would
be interested in this letter their mother received from
the President.
Capt. Dillingham
From Lincoln? Indeed I should.
All
From the President? From Lincoln?
Miss Eaton
[Hands him letter.]
Fannie
[To Capt. Dillingham, seeing that he cannot
open it.] Let me open it.
126 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN
Capt. Dillingham
Thank you ; be good enough to read it aloud.
[All stop and listen.
Fannie
[Reads letter, standing left center.] " To Mrs.
Bixby, Boston. Dear Madam: I have been shown in
the files of the War Department a statement that you
are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously
on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless
must be any words of mine which should attempt to
beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming.
But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the con-
solation that may be found in the thanks of the re-
public they died to save. I pray that our heavenly
Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement,
and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved
and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to
have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of free-
dom. Abraham Lincoln."
Capt. Dillingham
" So costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom! "
It seems as though I could hear his voice saying it.
Gertrude
Then you've seen the President?
in boston, 1864 127
Capt. Dillingham
Yes, many a time; he's very tall and thin, his eyes
are deep sunken and his face has deep lines. It is full
of care and sadness. But when he laughs, his eyes
flash and twinkle merrily. You'd like him. All the
children do.
Capt. Hill
And the soldiers, how they love him! Whenever
he visits camp they give him a rousing welcome.
Barbara
[Peering at Capt. Hill's leg.] Oh, Mr. Captain!
have you lost your leg?
Capt. Hill
Oh, no, it's just spliced up for a bit. I should have
lost it, though, if some little girl had not been scraping
lint.
Barbara
Did lint save it?
Capt. Hill
Yes, little lady.
Barbara
[Goes to table.] Lift me up again, Mrs. Beacon;
I want to scrape some more lint.
[Mrs. Beacon lifts her up on table.
128 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN
Capt. Hill
When I was in the Hospital in Washington, Lin-
coln would often visit the sick soldiers. We had
three wards of wounded Southern prisoners. I was
conducting him one day, and I said, " You won't want
to go in there, Mr. President; they are only rebels."
I shall never forget how he stopped and gently laid
his great hand upon my shoulder and said, " You mean
Confederates," and I have meant Confederates ever
since. He went through these three wards and his
interest was as real for the welfare of the men as when
he was among our own soldiers.
Miss Eaton
They tell a story of his meeting a Pennsylvanian
soldier who stood six feet seven in his stockings. Lin-
Doln is six feet four. As the President approached this
giant, towering above him, he stopped in amazement
as if contemplating the immense distance between the
soldier's head and feet. At length, holding out his
hand, he exclaimed, " Hello, Comrade! Do you know
when your feet are cold ? "
Fannie
Some people find fault with his signing so many
pardons.
Gertrude
Mr. Lincoln is so tender-hearted he's always finding
IN BOSTON, 1864 129
some reason for forgiving the men. If a man's a cow-
ard, the President says, " I never felt sure but I might
drop my gun and run away if / found myself in the
line of battle."
Mrs. Beacon
If a soldier is poor and friendless, " I'll be his
friend," Lincoln says. He's not only the Commander-
in-Chief of all the armies of the United States, he's
the Father of the army, and never did a man better
deserve a title than he does the one the soldiers give
him of " Father Abraham."
Mrs. Dillingham
When was that title given him?
Capt. Dillingham
It was last summer, before his re-election. Lincoln
decided to issue the Proclamation calling for more
men. His friends tried to dissuade him; they said such
a call at that critical time meant utter defeat.
' It matters not what becomes of me," replied Lin-
coln, " we must have the men! "
And he got the men !
" From Mississippi's winding stream
And from New England's shore,
i3o SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN
Six hundred thousand loyal men
And true have gone before :
We are coming, Father Abraham,
Three hundred thousand more! "
CURTAIN
MR. LINCOLN AND THE LITTLE
GIRL
CHARACTERS
Mrs. Wadsv/orth.
Mary, aged seven or eight.
Kitty, aged seven or eight.
Costumes of 1850. The little girls, pantalets, bon-
nets, and mitts.
Mrs. Wadsworth
[Looking out of window.^ The train came in ten
minutes ago ; they ought to be here now. This is their
first trip alone by train Oh, here they come!
[Enter Mary and Kitty. Mrs. Wads-
worth kisses them.
Mary
Oh, Aunt Celia! I thought I would not get here!
Kitty
Yes, Mrs. Wadsworth; she almost missed the train.
131
::: SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN
Mrs. Wadswokth
Why, teD me about it.
Mary
[At rigkt of Mrs. Wadswokth, standing.] My
trunk was ready to go and it as almost train time,
but the . ..-r:an did not come, and I stood at the
gate looking for him. It grew later and later and I
thought I coal In't go, and — and
Kitty
[Stcndinv at left.] And she began to cry like every-
thing she told me.
Mrs. Wadsworth
That was too bad. little Mary. Did you?
Mam
[.Vo^w^.] And just then Mr. Lincoln came by.
He heard me sobbing, and he said: " What's the mat-
ter, little girl? " and when I told him he said, " How
big is the trunk? There is still time if it isn't too
big." He pushed through the gate and up to the
door. When he saw my little trunk he cried: ,; Oh!
Oh! wipe your eyes and come on quick! "
Kitty
And before she knew what he was going to do he
[NCOLN AND THE LITTLE GIRL 133
shouldered the trunk and was striding out of the
yard.
Mary
[Laughing.] Yes, and I had to run like everything
to keep u; him. His le^ j long! and they
were going so East
Kitty
It was funny to see Mary all out of breath, but
laughing and wiping her eyes.
Mrs. Wadsworth
I'd like to thank that Mr. Lincoln; he must be a
very kind man.
Mary
And we were there in time for the train, and Mr.
Lincoln kissed me good-by and told me to have a good
time.
[They all turn to walk cut.
CURTAIN
AT THE WHITE HOUSE— 1863
CHARACTERS
Doorkeeper
To Mr. Lincoln's office; jolly and
pleasant.
Mr. Nicolay, Lincoln's secretary, nervous and quick.
Woman, prettily dressed, 1863 costume.
Baby, four years old.
Mr. A.
Mr.
B.
Mr.
C.
Mr.
D.
Mr.
E.
Mr.
F.
Mr.
G.
Y
Mr. H,
Mr. I.
Mr. J.
Well-dressed men of affairs from New York
City. Dressed in style of 1863.
Scene: Waiting-room in White House, outside Mr.
Lincoln's room. Entrance door from hall and door
leading to Mr. Lincoln's room. Seats around the
walls.
134
AT THE WHITE HOUSE— 1863 135
Curtain rises on Mr. Nicolay and Woman with
Baby, all standing. Doorkeeper before Lincoln's
door.
Mr. Nicolay
It is no use your waiting, madam. Mr. Lincoln
can see no one else to-day. Come to-morrow.
Woman
But this is urgent, my
Mr. Nicolay
Very sorry, Madam, but a large delegation of im-
portant men from New York are waiting and after
seeing them the President must go to a Cabinet meet-
ing. He's late now.
[Goes out to hall.
Woman
Oh dear! Oh dear! what shall I do! I can't
think. May I sit down just a moment?
Doorkeeper
Indeed you may, Madam ; all these chairs belong
to the people of the United States.
[Enter NlCOLAY.
136 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN
Mr. Nicolay
This way, gentlemen.
[Ushers in Messrs. A, B, C, D, E, F,
G, H, I, J, important, dignified, and
self-sufficient gentlemen.
[Each gentleman must be at the front
of the stage when he speaks, and step
back among the others, who are strolh
ing around the waiting-room, when ht
has spoken.
Mr. A.
[To Nicolay.] Inform the President at once that
the delegation he is expecting from New York hag
arrived.
[Nicolay bows and goes out President's
door.
Mr. B.
I shall tell Mr. Lincoln the gunboat must be sent
at once. It is impossible to have the wealthy port of
New York exposed to the bombardment of a Confed-
erate cruiser.
Mr. C.
When he realizes who we are
Mr. D.
And that we represent one hundred million dollars
in our own right!
AT THE WHITE HOUSE— 1863 137
Mr. E.
[In high voice.] One hundred million dollars!
Protection is due us!
Mr. F.
Yes, he must see to it that we have that gunboat.
Now my tenement district is right there on the river;
one cannon ball
[Lifts his hands expressively,
Mr. G.
Well, well, but think of my lumber yards! valued
now, I suppose
Mr. H.
I say, men representing in their own right one hun-
dred million dollars
Mr. I.
[Interrupts] — must be considered. Fancy the havoc
a Confederate cruiser would make with my wharfs
worth fifty thou
Mr. J.
[Interrupts.] Horrible to think of; but if Lincoln
will send a gunboat to protect my railways! Why,
sir, those railways are the backbone of this country !
[All begin to speak at once, very eagerly,
and keep it up until NlCOLAY enters.
138 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN
Mr. A.
Warehouses.
[Repeats, tries to make some one listen.
Mr. B.
Gunboat, gentlemen!
[Same business.
Mr. C.
I shall say, " Your Excellency "
[Same business.
Mr. D.
One hundred million dollars!
[Same business.
Mr. E.
[High voice.] Hides! Skins! Pigs! Cattle!
Mr. F.
My tenements, sir!
[Same business.
Mr. G.
My lumber yards!
[Same business.
Mr. H.
One hundred million dollars!
AT THE WHITE HOUSE— 1863 139
Mr. I.
My wharfs, sir.
[Same business.
Mr. J.
Railways, sir, railways.
[Enter NlCOLAY.
Mr. Nicolay
The President will see you, gentlemen.
[The delegation file out into the Presi-
dent's room.
[As they are disappearing]
Mr. E.
[In high voice.] We represent one hundred million
dollars.
Doorkeeper
[Shuts door in disgust.] That's the sixth set of
grumblers I've turned loose on the President to-day!
He'll be thinner than ever. They think Mr. Lincoln
ought to give 'em each a gunboat to watch by their
beds all night!
Woman
[Rising and speaking timidly.] Don't you suppose
the President could see me just a moment? It is a
matter of life or death. I've tried to see him for three
days.
140 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN
Doorkeeper
It is too late to-day, Madam, but you come early
to-morrow-
Woman
[Interrupts.] To-morrow will be too late. He —
he is to be shot to-morrow.
Doorkeeper
[With concern.] Why, now that is bad. It is your
husband you wish pardoned, Madam?
Woman
[Rapidly and excitedly.] Yes, yes, because he slept
at his post, and it wasn't his fault, he'd been marching
for two days.
[The Baby is standing on the chair play-
ing with a cane one of the delegation
left. The door is opened by Nicolay
and the Woman glides back to her
place. The delegation file out in
complete silence, collect coats, canes,
hats, etc., and walk rapidly off in a
humbled and mortified manner. Mr.
E., the last, pulls down hat to ears
and puts both hands in pockets.
Doorkeeper and Nicolay watch
them go.
AT THE WHITE HOUSE— 1863 141
Doorkeeper
[With low whistle.'] Hides! Skins! Pigs and
cattle! What's pricked their bubble? They're a
mightily changed set of citizens!
Mr. Nicolay
[Laughs.] They thought the President was much
impressed by their pitiful story and the great wealth
they represented. He listened most attentively, but
when they concluded he said, " Gentlemen, I am, by
the Constitution, Commander-in-Chief of the Army
and Navy of the United States, and as a matter of
law I can order anything done that is practicable to
be done: but, as a matter of fact, I am not in command
of the gunboats or ships of war — as a matter of fact,
I do not know exactly where they are, but presume
they are actively engaged. It is impossible for me,
in the condition of things, to furnish you a gunboat.
The credit of the Government is at a very low ebb,
greenbacks are not worth more than forty or fifty
cents on the dollar, and in this condition of things,
if / were worth half as much as you gentlemen are
represented to be, and as badly frightened as you seem
to be, / would build a gunboat and give it to the Gov-
ernment."
[They both laugh. NlCOLAY goes out
by hall door.
142 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN
Doorkeeper
[Calls after him.] Is the President still in, Mr.
Nicolay?
Mr. Nicolay
[From hall.] He's gone.
Woman
[Bursts into sobs.] Oh dear! My poor husband!
They'll shoot him! I'm too late. [Sobs.] To-mor-
row at sunrise.
[Sobs, covers face with hands, continues
to sob.
Baby
[ Trying to pull down her hands and, not succeeding,
breaks into loud cries.] Boo hoo! don't, Mamma.
Oh
[And keeps it up until a loud ring is
heard from Lincoln's room.
Doorkeeper
[Disappears in Lincoln's door, comes back smiling
to Woman.] Mr. Lincoln says to send you to him
at once.
[Woman goes into Mr. Lincoln's room
hastily. Baby trots after.
AT THE WHITE HOUSE— 1863 143
Doorkeeper
[Holding door and patting baby.] Run along,
Lulu!
[Nicolay enters from hall.
Doorkeeper
The President heard that young one crying just as
he was going and nothing would do but he must come
back to find out what the matter was.
Mr. Nicolay
But he's keeping the Cabinet waiting.
[Walks out impatiently.
Doorkeeper
[Calls after him.] What of it? Do 'em good!
You're always trying to make the President walk a
straight line. Thought you had him on time for the
Cabinet meeting to-day, didn't you? But the Presi-
dent gave you the slip at the last moment.
[Laughs to himself.
[Door opens; enter Woman and Baby,
radiant.
Woman
He's pardoned him! He's pardoned him! Mr.
Lincoln's the best man that ever lived !
144 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN
Doorkeeper
[Adjusting her shawl.] Madam, it was the baby
that did it.
[Woman and Baby start to go out.
CURTAIN
ON A PLANTATION, 1863
CHARACTERS
Ole Mammy.
Sambo, her boy.
Clementine \
Lily V Young women.
Flora J
Thomas Jefferson "J
Julius C^sar V Children.
Juliet j
and children as many as stage allows.
Porch before Darkies' hut, children and women
grouped about the stage, some standing, some sitting
on boxes, benches, old chairs, or on the ground. Tur-
bans of colored handkerchiefs, kerchiefs, aprons,
sleeves rolled up. These touches give the effect of
negro costume, especially if the hair is covered up.
Blacking the skin is not advised. Every one in this
scene should be able to sing. The song " When Israel
was in Egypt land " is one of the Jubilee Songs, and
should not be hard to find, and " Wake Nicodemus "
is a well-known negro song. Two entrances, one from
145
146 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN
Mammy's hut, one from right or left for Flora and
Sambo.
Every one on the stage but Sambo, Flora, Juliet,
and Mammy. Before the curtain rises they begin to
croon, swaying in time to the music.
Clementine
[Solo.]
" When Israel was in Egypt land,
Chorus
Let my people go.
Clementine
Oppressed so hard dey could not stand,
Chorus
Let my people go.
Go down Moses, way down in Egypt land
CURTAIN RISES
Tell ole Pharaoh, ' Let my people go.'
Clementine
" Thus saith the Lord, bold Moses said,
ON A PLANTATION, 1863 147
Chorus
Let my people go.
Clementine
If not I'll smite your first-born dead —
Chorus
Let my people go.
Go down, etc.
Clementine
" No more shall dey in bondage toil,
Chorus
Let my people go.
Clementine
[Sings.] Let them come out." [Breaks off.
Shouts to Juliet inside the house.] Heh, there, you
Juliet! Mammy said she was coming out on de
po'ch. You bring her out.
Juliet
[From inside cabin.] She's low in her sperits, and
don' want to come.
i48 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN
Lily
It's 'cause a year ago to-day Massa sold her Sambo,
all de chile she had lef. Ef I don' rouse her up
she'll sit all day looking at one of his old caps. I'll
fetch her out.
[Goes off.
Clementine
Thomas Jefferson, you go tote out her cheer for her.
[Thomas Jefferson rises and goes in
cabin, conies out with armchair which
he places to right of stage. The
Children roll out of the way and let
Ole Mammy enter. Juliet leads
her. Lily follows with shawl. Ole
Mammy is settled in chair. She has
a cane and her head is bent. Carries
a boy's cap in her hand.
Ole Mammy
[Begins talking to herself and then says distinctly.]
Ole Massa, he sold my Sambo, my baby; he tole me
he wouldn't. [Pause.] Just year ago Sambo said,
" Mammy, I's sold down de ribber. But de new
master won't keep me. I'll run away and join Massa
Linkum's soldiers. I'll come back and get you,
Mammy, you wait for me." But I waited and I
waited and he ain't neber come back — he ain't come
back!
[Begins to cry, hiding her face in the cap.
ON A PLANTATION, 1863 149
Clementine
Land sakes! Mammy, give him time; perhaps he
couldn't git away as fast as he thought.
Lily
Maybe he mighty far down de ribber.
Juliet and Julius C/esar
Let's get Mammy to sing, then she won't cry.
Julius Cesar
[Goes close to Mammy.] Mammy, you learn us
children " Ole Nicodemus." We disremember de
tune.
[The Children gather about her chair.
Ole Mammy
[Taking down the cap and wiping her eyes on it.~\
he ain't come back What you chilluns hol-
Jerin' about?
All the Children
Learn us to sing " Wake Nicodemus."
[They sit, kneel, and stand around her.
Ole Mammy
Well, let me see.
[Begins to sing.
i5o SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN
" Nicodemus, de slave, was of African birth,
And was bought for a bagful of gold:
He was reckon'd as part of de salt of de earth,
But he died years ago, very old.
'Twas his last sad request, so we laid him away
In de trunk of an old hollow tree,
' Wake me up ! ' was his charge at de first break of
day,
' Wake me up for de great Jubilee ! '
[All sing Chorus.]
" De ' Good time comin' ' is almos' here,
It was long, long, long on de way.
Now run and tell Elijah to hurry up Pomp,
And meet us at de gumtree down in de swamp,
To wake Nicodemus to-day.
Ole Mammy
[Sings alone.]
" 'Twas a long, weary night, — we were almos' in fear,
Dat de future was more than he knew,
'Twas a long, weary night — but de morning is near,
And de words of our prophet are true.
Dar are signs in de sky dat de darkness is gone,
Dar are tokens in endless array;
While de storms which had seemingly banished de
dawn,
Only hasten de advent of day."
<< T^~ «
ON A PLANTATION, 1863 151
Chorus
[All sing.]
De ' Good time comin',' " etc.
Ole Mammy
[Sings.]
" Wake me up for de great Jubilee ! "
Thomas Jefferson
When is de great Jubilee comin'? When will we
be free?
Lily
I dun know, honey; it's a long time comin'. Per-
haps Massa Linkum's soldiers'll bring it.
[Enter Flora, looks behind her before
she speaks as though she were afraid.
Flora
[With an air of triumph.'] See what I got!
[Shows picture of Lincoln.
Clementine
Who's dat?
Flora
[In stage whisper.] Hesh! it's Massa Linkum.
[Gives it to Mammy.
[All crowd around to see.
iS2 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN
Flora
Jinny found it and she can read and it says Abraham
Linkum. Jinny says he's de big general an' he'll set
us all free sometime.
Julius Caesar
He's got mighty sad eyes; he looks like he want to
cry.
Juliet
He's smiling at me.
Flora
[Whispers.] And I heard Massa say, if Massa
Linkum's sojers come up de ribber — we'll all be free.
All
[In whispers.] We'll all be free.
[Shake heads doubtfully.
Flora
[Still whispering.] An' Jinny says, dat all de free
Darkies sing a new song; Massa Linkum's sojers
learned it to 'em.
Ole Mammy
[Rising and leaning on cane.] You, Flora! Did
Jinny learn you dat song?
ON A PLANTATION, 1863 153
Flora
Yes, Mammy.
Lily and Clementine
How does it go?
Ole Mammy
[Pointing cane at Flora.] You, Flora, you sing
dat song.
Flora
[Looks all arou d, then sings very softly.]
" John Brown's body lies a-molderin' in de grave,"
etc.
" His soul goes marching on."
[All listen intently, their lips move. In
the chorus they join one after an-
other, always singing very softly, their
heads and bodies swaying and their
hands silently clapping time.
All
"Glory, glory, hallelujah," etc.
Lily
[Excitedly.] You learn dat song, all you chilluns.
Then if de day of Jubilee eber come, you sing it.
154 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN
Sambo
[Outside, from distance.] Mammy! Where's my
ole Mammy?
Ole Mammy
[Starts to her feet.] Who dat calling me?
Sambo
[Nearer.] Mammy! ain't you goin' to speak to yo'r
Sambo!
Ole Mammy
My Sambo! my baby! I's waitin'!
Sambo
[Enters running, dressed in United States uniform;
rushes to embrace Mammy.] I's come back, Mammy!
Mammy!
Ole Mammy
[Crying and laughing and hugging him.] Sambo!
Sambo!
All
[Cry out.] Sambo! Sambo! Where you come
from? See de brass buttons! Sambo!
Sambo
[Still clasping Mammy.] I run away and jined
Massa Linkum's sojers. De gunboats are coming
up de ribber. I was on de first one. And, chil-
ON A PLANTATION, 1863 155
luns! What you think! Massa Linkum signed de
'Mancipation Proclamation, an' you're all FREE ! ! No
more selling down de ribber, Mammy, do you hear!
We're all free ! ! !
All
[Shouting and cheering.] We're all free! etc.
[After a second or two they stop and look
at Mammy.
Ole Mammy
Massa Linkum, he done it. De Lord bress Massa
Linkum! an' keep him, and cause his face to shine
upon him!
All
[Fervently.] De Lord bress Massa Linkum!
Clementine
Hallelujah!
Lily
Glory! Glory!
All
[Sing.]
Glory, glory, hallelujah!" etc.
[Children form ring and dance around
Mammy and Sambo; clap hands,
jump up and down, etc.
CURTAIN
This book is DUE on the last date stamped below
rtt5 4
\Y 2 1932L
1931*
1 7 1935
*
^ 19 1938
5 1943
! 10.'.
IOVU1950
MR 3 1 1952
JAN 2 6 1957
R£C'D URLfO
OCT j^n
FormL-9-15m-ll,'27
7
ACUITY
AA 000 415 250 o
Live Music
Archive
Librivox
Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland
Museum of Art
Internet
Arcade
Console Living Room
Open Library
American
Libraries
TV News
Understanding
9/11